Register defined

There seems to be some question as what register exactly means. Here is a definition from articleworld.org

Register in linguistics refers to the patterns of communication used in particular settings and for specific purposes. Register is often an indicator of the formality or official nature of an occasion, or a mark of authority. Linguists make the distinction that register varies with use, rather than with the user.

The Education Resource Information Center (ERIC) has more complete information.

For an ASL discussion of the registers we encounter most frequently, try this page at theinterpretersfriend.com.

"A trio of rodents with imperfect vision.
A trio of rodents with imperfect vision.
Observe how they scamper, observe how they scamper.
The collectively persued the agriculturalist's spouse
who surgically removed thier rear appendage with a carving implement
have you ever observed such a spectacle in your existance
as a trio of rodents with imperfect vision..."

Register continued

Yesterday I was asked about frozen register - especially The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States. In English, there is no doubt this is frozen register. Every American from the youngest of school children to those standing to recite it before an Opera in Tulsa is taught what to say:

I pledge allegiance to the flag
Of the United States of America
And to the Republic for which it stands
One Nation, under God, indivisible
With liberty and justice for all.

The problem is, it is not frozen in ASL. Almost every group of Deaf will have their own interpretation - some taught by interpreters, or those with limmited sign skills, some translated by someone truly fluent in both languages.

So, for today's conversation I thought I would try and link you to several examples. One of my favorites is already gone from You-tube, so if another of these links fails, please let me know.

The first example is a pretty common translation. I am not sure it is clear what a Republic is, nor what "for which it stands" means, but it is commonly found in the elementary schools.

Here is another common elementary school translation. It defines Republic as a country, which is helpful, and also gives us a compound sign for liberty.

This one may be my all time favorite found on You-tube. I like because it repeats the concept of "allegiance" clarifying the English conjunction "and". It reminds us that Nation is here. It also defines Under God . Finally, it reminds us that "all" in English implies people. I think as a jumping off place for a civics lesson, it is fabulous!

If you find others and want to ask about them, please feel free to email me or comment.

Register

Have you ever used the wrong word in a setting and caused unintentional hilarity? You know, too casual or crass in a professional setting, too formal in a casual one?

While I was reminiscing in my personal blog about my family and friends who love to change the lyrics to songs (filkers), I remembered this one that has been in my famly for as long as I can remember. Talk about changing register!

Propel propel propel your craft docily down the liquid solution
ecstatically, ecstatically, ecstatically, ecstatically,
existence is but an illusion.

And of course the funny part for this blog is: I would probably sign it no different than the original:

Row Row Row your boat gently down the stream
Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily
Life is but a dream.