Understanding Poverty: Language Register
We have been examining some of the issues, outlined by Dr. Ruby Payne, in “A Framework for Understanding Poverty”, that revolve around the resources necessary to get out of poverty. One of the “hidden rules” of the middle class, that are needed to get along in school and in better paying jobs, is the use of the “formal register” in speech and writing. Learning formal register is a KEY to getting out of poverty. In Dr. Payne’s book, she identifies five “vertical” registers of language. Linguists use the word “register” to describe the different ways we choose words and convey meaning, depending on whom we are with and the impression that we want to make. The “Word Nerds” have a great pod cast describing both vertical and horizontal register. “Word Nerds” on register.
We are going to focus on vertical register because this appears to be the one that most often is a barrier for people trying to move out of poverty. We all use vertical registers and we do “code shifting”, or register shifting depending on who we are addressing. The problem comes when one does not know how or when to use all the “right” registers or “code”. Formal register is the register of work, business, school and formal tests, so if one does not understand and cannot use this form of speech, then we are doomed to be unsuccessful where it is the standard.
So what are the vertical registers and how do we recognize them?
Frozen (highest): In frozen register the words and structure never change. Examples of this are the Lord’s Prayer or the Pledge of Allegiance.
Formal: This is the register of work, school and business. Sentence structure is prescribed by the rules of syntax. Sentences are complete. Word selection is more sophisticated and certain words are always or never used depending on the situation. This register is used in formal writing. An example of a greeting in formal register might be, “Good morning Mr. Smith. How are you today?”
Consultative: This is also a formal register, but is used in conversation and consultation. The discourse pattern may not be as direct as in formal register. An example of a greeting in this register might be, “Hey Bob! How is it going, today?”
Casual Register:This is the language between friends and close associates. There is a limited vocabulary. Sentence structure need not be complete, since non-verbal assists, hand movements and body language, are often used to convey meaning. An example of a greeting in casual register might be, “Hi! Whazya up to bud?” Compare the likely impact of your success in and interview that you start with this example or the one from formal register!
Intimate: This is the register of lovers, twins and very, very, close associates. It is also the register of sexual harassment. The message is conveyed with few words, gleaned from common experience, and is often not intelligible to others. For example, pet names between spouses.
So what is the problem? The problem is the people, and especially children from generational poverty, often lack the use of the formal register and do not understand when it is “necessary”. Since formal register is used in school, children from poverty often do not understand and have difficulty communicating at school. Children from poverty often do not hear or learn formal register at home, so they are unprepared for school and work. Tests and evaluations are done in formal register, so they are not understood by those who lack formal register and they perform poorly on them. In interviews, use of the inappropriate register is noted in a few minutes, and knocks the applicant out of contention for the position. For example, the teacher and the parent maybe speaking virtually two different languages at a parent-teacher conference.
Learning formal register is a KEY to moving out of poverty. Learning formal register is not that easy. It is like learning a new language. How many of us would learn a foreign language without a reason? If we move to a foreign county, and are immersed in the language, we are likely to be more interested in learning a new language, compared to going for a short visit. Is not this exactly what happens when we go to school? We go for a short visit, and then return to our “own land”. For people, and especially children, in poverty, they are often not exposed to formal register at home and consequently do not acquire it. Formal register in this situation must to be taught.
Recognition and withheld judgment, by teachers and other helping professionals, that some people and children lack the knowledge and use of formal register, is necessary for those teachers and helping professionals to help build the bridges necessary to move people from poverty to prosperity.