Mind your manners: The distinction between formal and informal language

Knowing the difference between formal and informal language makes a difference!

If you’re a native English speaker, you know the differences between formal and informal language — each having its benefits when used appropriately.

Understandably, formal language is used in more serious and professional settings, and informal language is used in casual settings with close family and friends.

Once you have a hold of the basics, expand your language skills by distinguishing formal and informal language for better communication in different situations with different people.

Here are the 5 differences to take note of when it comes to using formal and informal language:

1. Tone, pace, and volume

Your tone plays an important role in expressing your sentiments towards a person or subject. Switching up your tone and volume can change how someone interprets your words. Raising your voice can indicate a heightened urgency or sound aggressive in many languages.

Maintaining a neutral and polite tone and speaking at an average pace and volume is preferable in more formal situations. However, when in doubt, mirroring the tone, speed, and volume of those you are conversing with is a nifty and helpful strategy.

2. Gesturing

Similarly to adjusting your tone, pace, and volume in different conversations, you may notice that the gestures you use with close friends may not be suitable in formal situations. With more practice and immersing yourself in different environments, you will become more comfortable using various gestures and hand signals that are considered appropriate in formal and informal contexts. It’s all about getting the hang of it as you gain more experience.

Watching content (such as TV shows or movies) in the language(s) you are learning can give you a better idea of which gestures are typically used in different settings.

Gesturing during language use is common to help emphasise your intentions.

3. Vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure.

In certain languages, some words can mean the same thing (these are synonyms), but using them in formal or informal situations can give a better context. When adopting a formal tone, grammar tends to be more intricate, and sentences are typically lengthier. Writing a formal letter requires careful consideration of grammar, unlike a text to a friend or a spoken conversation where the rules can be more relaxed. For example, when writing a formal email, starting it with “Dear Jane” works better than “Hey Jane”, which would work better in a casual setting.

Vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structures in formal and informal situations are just a few things you can expect to receive guidance on during your language course.

4. Addressing others

When addressing others, especially in the context of language and communication, it is important to distinguish between formal and informal speech.

In formal language, the emphasis is often placed on showing respect and maintaining a professional and courteous tone. You can achieve this by using titles and first or last names. Depending on your relationship with someone who is a doctor, it may be more appropriate to address them as “Doctor Samuel” instead of just “Samuel” or even “Mr Samuel”. The use of titles before a name can be a sign of respect and can also signify a level of professionalism. It indicates that you acknowledge their position, authority and/or expertise.

On the other hand, simply addressing someone by their first name or even a nickname in informal language fosters a sense of familiarity in a conversation. It indicates a level of comfort and pushes towards the desire to establish a friendly rapport with them. Informal language is more lenient when addressing others, and it aligns with the idea of building personal relationships and connections.

In some languages, the use of honorifics can also indicate the level of seniority in a conversation. In Japanese, the honorific “-san” can be used both informally and formally, whereas “-chan” or “-kun” is typically used informally and/or when referring to someone younger.

Emojis are commonly used in text messages, but these should be kept to informal settings.

5. Use of emojis (and GIFs/stickers)

Using emojis and GIFs/stickers has become a common and fun way to convey emotions and add a personal touch to digital conversations, especially when chatting with friends and family. While it has become more common to use even when speaking in professional contexts, it is important to recognise that some boundaries can help to avoid getting yourself in sticky situations.

When it comes to maintaining your professionalism, it’s best to refrain from using too many emojis and GIFs/stickers, as it can be seen as unprofessional and may not be well received.

The more experience you gain navigating different communication settings, being mindful of the context and adjusting your use of emojis and GIFs/stickers accordingly can help you strike the right balance between formal and informal “language”.