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In the context of O-Level English the term “register” means a suitable word used in a particular situation. Every situation or setting calls for a different response and choice of words. That is why registers are also called situations. We may illustrate it this way: At home we have clothes for certain occasions — we have clothes for school (uniforms), for formal occasions and the ones we wear when taking a stroll in the neighbourhood with friends. Similarly, we use words differently depending on the occasion.

Our minds instinctively (at times) and deliberately chose words to suit the given event.

Therefore the way we use our words and behave in certain situations reveal aspects of our being; character, feeling, attitude and even intention. That is why we say “Good morning Mr Gwanungwa”, when we meet the English teacher in the corridors. When we meet Tendai in the neighbourhood we just say, “Hi”.

There are certain considerations or factors that show whether our response to a given situation is appropriate or not. They include:

1) Age — Age consideration are very vital in our relating to people in everyday circumstances.

That is why in certain cultures; (especially African) we may remove our hats in honour of the elderly. That explains why we greet our teachers in the corridor failure of which our manner can be seen as disrespectful or discourteous. But because Tendai is your friend its appropriate to say “hi”.

2) Relationship — The relationship that exist between us and other people powerfully influence how we deal with them for instance, we may say to our uncles, “ hi uncle John” and at other circumstances we may say “old chap (mudhara)”. The relation we have allows us to do so.

3) Time and place — We communicate in space and time. Even if uncle John is our uncle, when we visit him at his work place, we say,” we are looking for Mr Muzondiwa”

4) Status — A person’s position in society also matters in communication. Even if that person is your friend, you accord him dignity commensurate to the status he has. One of my friend and former class mates is a Lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe. When I go to the English Department of the said University, I say to the receptionist, kindly, “Please madam, allow me to see Mr Chidora”.

Examiners are interested in a number of register aspects. It is prudent to discuss each aspect / feature.

Feelings:

These are emotions. It is the way we behave or act in the inside when an event has happened or when someone says or does something. Feelings can also be triggered by our thoughts.

Feelings are either positive or negative. When we hear good words we are elated or uplifted. In the face of seeming fear and disappointments and someone says something positive we feel reassured, we feel replenished, and rejuvenated.

Negative feelings include; discouragement, fear, and dejection.

Attitude — It basically means the way we view or relate to certain things, or event or person. Attitude is reflected by what we say, what we do, our gestures and facial expressions (for example the curling up of the upper lip may denote a snobbish and disdainful attitude) and what we do not say.

Peoples’ attitude range from being; understanding, sensitive, sympathetic to intolerance, unsympathetic and insensitive

Strategy — It means the skills or methods we use when dealing or relating to a certain event or situation. It means a certain framework or approach to certain people or events.

There are positive strategies as well as negative. Positive strategies include the following terms: shrewd, persuasive, diplomatic and tactful.

For example a mother can say to her daughter who is approaching a huge dish full of water: “If you come near the water a huge thing will come and eat you”. That is being diplomatic .She could have said,”If you come near that bucket of water, I will spank you”. That’s so blunt; she would have used threat as a strategy.

Character — It means who we are on the inside. It embodies all peculiar qualities that we possess. Our character is a window into our beings; the very fabric (attributes) that make who we are. Our character is revealed by what we say, what we do and how we react to certain situations. Note some of the following words used to describe character (positive as well as negative).

Positive; respectful, courteous, civil, refined.

Negative; disrespectful, discourteous, uncivil and crude.

Intention — Words and actions serve many purposes. Intention means a goal or what we hope to achieve or attain by using a certain set of words. It may also be used interchangeably with the term motive.

Motives are positive as well as negative. We may say words to encourage, support, soothe, uplift or motivate. Words can be used with the intention of mocking and reprimanding.

Mood — The word points to the spirit or the air; the general feeling that accompanies a certain event, word or person. For instance one may describe the mood at a funeral as tense, sombre and grave. The mood of a party is electric, pleasant and jovial.

Tone — this refers to the pitch or modulation that a musical instrument or words produce. It may also denote the shade of colour. The way we say or write words can change their meaning or impact.

Tone can be reflected in the manner in which we say words. The following situation illustrates that.

You are playing with the new cell phone that your father bought himself yesterday. He says, “I see that I have bought you a new cell toy!”

The tone is sarcastic or ironic.

Registers at a close view

As already seen, registers refer to everyday responses to given situations. In every circumstance we respond accordingly bearing in mind factors such as age, relationship, status, time and place.

So when answering questions on registers one should think of conversations typical to an everyday world.

Vuso Mhlanga, the writer, is an experienced teacher in English Language and Advanced Level Literature in English.