Casual and Formal Language
Formal and Casual Register
Discourses (Ruby Payne)
Formal
Casual
The primary language of
the middle class
Used in school and
business
Less emotional
“Proper” English
Uses larger vocabulary
Is necessary for most
people to succeed.
Used as primary language
by many low SES
students.
More emotional and often
large non-verbal elements.
Lower vocabulary (400-800
words.)
“improper” language with
incomplete sentences and
grammar errors.