Casual Register

Casual register definition

Let's start things off with a nice definition. In fact, we could break this down into two definitions:

For a bit of context, here are some things we often refer to as being casual:

• outfits or clothing (e.g., 'casual Friday')

• events (e.g., a casual lunch or 'casual get-together' rather than a fancy party)

• relationships (e.g., when two people have just started seeing each other, they might refer to their relationship as casual)

• conversations (e.g., small talk or talking about things that aren't serious or important)

Now to move on to the other part of our definition:

In this article, we're concerned with the casual register, but some other kinds of register include:

• Formal register (used in formal and professional situations)

• Frozen register (language that has not changed for a long time and is unlikely to do so in the future)

• Consultative register (used in situations where someone is seeking or giving advice or suggestions)

• Neutral register (language used in academic and technical settings, manuals, presentations, and teaching resources)

• Intimate register (casual and personal language often used in private situations)

Casual register meaning

If we combine the two definitions above, we get the whole meaning of 'casual register'.

In essence, the casual register is the type of language we use in relaxed and friendly social situations that do not require formal communication. The casual register is light and conversational, rather than feeling practised or purposeful, so it is used in situations where we feel at ease, are interacting with people we are comfortable with, and when we have no worries.

The casual register is probably the one you're most familiar with. You probably use it at home and when you hang out with friends.

The casual register can be used in written and verbal communication.

Fig. 2 - The casual register is most commonly used in informal situations.

Casual register use

The casual register generally comes naturally as it is the most common register we use when talking to friends and family. However, here are some situations where it is appropriate:

• chatting to friends at a party or other social setting

• talking about your day to your family at the dinner table

• discussing hobbies or interests with a close colleague

• getting excited about a football match or tournament with teammates

When is it not appropriate to use the casual register? As with all the different registers, there are situations where using the casual register is inappropriate and should be avoided. Some examples include:

• presenting a project or presentation that you'll be assessed on

• during a court proceeding or other legal procedure

• when a doctor is discussing a diagnosis or treatment with a patient

• during a job interview

There are many other times when the casual register will be appropriate and many others when it will be inappropriate, but these are just a few ideas.

Let's delve a little deeper. What should we look for to see if the casual register is a good fit for a particular situation or not?

Audience

• Do you know the audience well? Are they friends or close family? If so, then the casual register will probably be the natural option.

• Do the people you're speaking to make you feel comfortable and relaxed, or do you feel concerned or worried about something? If you're feeling happy and relaxed, then the casual register is likely to emerge.

• Is the audience close to you in age? It may not always be appropriate to speak to an older person in the casual register, even if you know them well.

• Do you have shared knowledge and experiences, inside jokes, and a similar sense of humour to the people you're speaking to? If so, casual is probably the way to go!

Place

• There are certain places where the casual register is most likely inappropriate.

• Courtrooms and other settings where legal proceedings might be underway are never going to be places where the casual register is appropriate.

• Hospitals are places where the casual register is rarely used unless you are visiting a friend or family member.

• It's probably best to avoid the casual register in educational situations such as lectures, seminars, and other academic presentations.

• Business meetings are generally quite serious and professional, so the casual register is best avoided.

Purpose

• The casual register is great for some purposes but not ideal for others.

• If the only purpose of interaction with friends or close family members is to hang out, catch up, and spend time together, then the casual register will feel very natural.

• Sharing stories, telling jokes, and socialising at a party or other casual events are good times when the casual register is perfectly appropriate.

• If the purpose of an interaction is to convey important information, seek guidance or clarification on an important matter, or to teach someone, then the casual register might not be appropriate.

• Business, legal, and academic actions do not typically suit the casual register.

Casual register examples

So, we've looked at some examples of situations when the casual register should and should not be used. Now let's look at some examples of what the casual register might look like:

A casual conversation between friends:

In this example, two friends discuss a test they did, and Dave feels unconfident about it. In the exchange, we see examples of slang ('dude', 'bricking it') and other colloquial structures ('alright?', 'Nah', 'I'm over it, me').

We can also tell that the two speakers are friends, as they address each other with affectionate terms such as 'dude' and 'brother'. All of these factors suggest that this is an exchange using the casual register.

A family talking over dinner:

In this exchange, the father has prompted a conversation with his family by asking how everyone else's day was. The daughter offers some news, and the mother reacts in a good-natured and enthusiastic manner.

We see examples of casual grammatical structures ('Any news?' and 'bet he didn't fancy his lunch...' instead of 'Is there any news?'/ 'Do you have any news?' and 'I bet he didn't fancy his lunch...') and colloquial language ('Ewww', 'fancy', 'yucky').

The family members seem comfortable and relaxed together, adding to the casual register.

Fig. 3 - The casual register is great for informal gatherings rather but not important business meetings.

Casual register vs intimate register

What is the difference between the casual register and the intimate register? Based on the definitions and explanations in this article, they might seem quite similar. Let's dissect the two registers to see how they differ:

Casual register

• typically used in informal exchanges between friends, family members, teammates, and colleagues.

• usually involves people who are close in age or who have shared experiences

• used when people feel comfortable, relaxed, and happy in the company of others

• used in informal situations

• includes slang, swearing, vulgarities etc. (sometimes, but not all of the time)

Intimate register

• essentially always used in conversations between people who have very close relationships (close friends, family members, romantic partners etc.)

• often used when sharing stories and secrets, during private or discreet situations

• includes inside jokes, affectionate teasing, and flirting

• informal language but is generally more purposeful than the casual register

As you can see, the two registers are fairly similar in many ways. One of the key differences is that the casual register can be used between friends, family members, colleagues, teammates, and other peers.

In contrast, the intimate register is reserved more for those we are closest to. The intimate register is also used primarily in private interactions, whereas the casual register can be used in lots of different circumstances.