Registers and Jargons in Specialist Domains
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Date
2018
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General Studies Division, University of Ilorin
Abstract
People use different linguistic varieties in different situations and for different purposes. Speech thus, reflects and constructs the context in which language is used. The context of situation determines language use and usage and as such, different fields of academia and other varying spheres of human life are distinguished by the content and language use uniquely associated to them. The ability of an individual to manipulate and understand language discourses in different situations that confronts her/him is one of the essential tools for her/his success in the academia and the society at large. In this regard, it will be erroneous to say or use words not associated to the context which it is employed as it may impede effective communication or cause chaos between or among participants in such situations. These various contexts of speech situations are known as ‘Domains’; a term popularised by an American Sociolinguist called Joshua Fishman in the early 70’s to depict “a socio cultural construct abstracted from topics of communication, relationship between communicators, and locales of communication, in accord with the institution, of a society and area of activity…” (Fishman 1972, p.20). In simpler terms, Holmes (2008, p.21) corroborates this assertion by stating that “a domain involves a typical interaction between typical participants about a typical topic in a typical setting”. The essence of this is that the factors that influence the concept of domains are the participants involved in a discourse, the place where the conversation takes place and the topic being discussed. For instance, someone changes her language to the interlocutor’s language when discussing certain topics. Also, the choice of language use is conditioned by the people one is speaking with consequently, the physical setting or the occasion of the activity will also have some consequence on language use.
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Keywords
Registers, Jargons, domains