What is formal language?

Formal language is language use characterized by

• speech before a passive audience
• the assumption of a role by the speaker
• the use of artificial means of communication such as writing or electronics, and
• the use of a “high” dialect or language in preference to a “low” one.

Here are some examples of domains where formal language takes place:

• A sermon
• A political speech
• A lecture
• A letter
• Poetry

• What is formality?

Crystal 1985 125

Britto 1986 298, 315–316

Fasold 1984 35

Ferguson 1959 329

Context for this page:

• Concept module: formal language
• In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): F
• In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
• In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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