Register

Register is a variety of a language used for a particular purpose or in a particular social setting.

Natural language

In the UNLarium framework, register may assume the following values:

{{#tree:id=nl_REG|openlevels=0|root=Register (REG)|

• archaism (ARC): no longer current
• colloquialism (CLQ): not used in formal speech
• dialect (DIA): regional speech pattern
• jargon (JGN): technical vocabulary of a particular profession
• literary (LIT): used only in literature
• pejorative (PEJ): having an unpleasant or disparaging connotation, but which are not taboo
• slang (SLG): used by a specific social group
• taboo (TAB): offensive

}}

Examples

• thou (you) = archaism (ARC)
• wanna (want to) = colloquialism (CLQ)
• wee (small) = dialect (DIA) (Scotticism)
• canis lupus familiaris (dog) = jargon (JGN)
• nitwit (stupid person) = pejorative (PEJ)
• waken (awake) = literary (LIT)
• ajax (exceptionally attractive girl) = slang (SLG)
• crap (nonsense) = taboo (TAB)

UNL

In UNL, register is represented by attributes:

{{#tree:id=unl_REG|openlevels=0|root=Register|

• @archaic
• @colloquial
• @dialect
• @jargon
• @literary
• @pejorative
• @slang
• @taboo

}}

Examples

• Thou = you.@archaic
• bide a wee = bide a short time.@dialect
• canis lupus familiaris = dog.@jargon
• she is ajax = she is attractive.@slang