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Regardless of the language you speak, we have grown up generally knowing the importance of using formal language in situations that it is deemed proper to do so. These situations are ones that deal with a serious subject matter and would most likely involve people who do not know too well. We use formal language as a sign of paying our respect to higher authorities who work as a member of our social institutions like our government, in the academe, in religious congregations, and even in our place of employment. Formal language is the accepted norm and is the appropriate choice in the professional or academic setting. It is the standard form of language used in delivering speeches, or giving lectures. In written communication addressing the above-mentioned institutions in an official capacity, must be written using formal language as well. As in oral speech using formal language, the same considerations are observed when writing a formal letter. The choice of words, tone, and word structure varies depending how much formality is required. In general, formal language does not make use of contractions, colloquialisms, or first person pronouns like “I” or “we”. It is impersonal, professional, straightforward, and technically precise. Generally speaking, formal language is akin to to what I refer to as “institutional language”. This is why it is the appropriate choice in professional and academic settings. On the other hand, informal language is what we generally use to communicate with our peers, family members, and friends on a day to day basis. In our own familiar environment, existing outside the boundaries of any of our social institutions, we talk more freely, more relaxed, unconstrained by the rigid rules of impersonal “institutional language”. For most of our time, this is our most natural and general mode of speech and writing (or texting, as the case may be) as we intercommunicate with most people in our everyday mundane lives. The use of colloquial (slang) phrases is common and acceptable in informal or casual conversations. It is a carefree way of speaking in which those you know would easily understand. Informal speech is also unconstrained by the technicalities of proper grammar. As such, contractions, double negatives, skipped words, (and yes even the use of explicit vocabulary) is generally accepted. A few examples: “Sh*t, I ain’t done nothing crazy like that since I was sixteen!” “What up ‘cuz?” Now, I am not saying that informal language is always grammatically incorrect nor it is marked by using obscenities and explicit vocabulary all the time. The choice of words, tone, and word structure varies depending how much informality is required. Of course you would not speak like as stated in the above examples when speaking to your grandmother. Of course not. Nonetheless, it needs to be pointed out the practical use of informal language. It gives your audience a sense of closeness and genuineness. It shows and expresses your own personality. It makes others feel comfortable, familiar, and relaxed. Lastly, it saves time. For example, take a simple greeting like “How do you do?”, this can be expressed by just saying “Hi”, and technically it is essentially expressing the same context. In my two years of teaching English to EFL students, my students have not come across any major difficulties learning the basics of proper grammar of formal English. As long as my explanations are detailed and precise during our lessons, students can attain a fundamental grasp of the proper grammatical functionalities of the English language. However, I would say the most of them are studying English to attain a level of fluency as that of native speakers of English. Oftentimes, curious students would ask me how I would say or ask certain things during certain situations in my everyday life. As I explain to them how, they would try to mimic what I said and you could sense their delight as they do so. These types of exchanges between my students and myself were very rewarding to me. In my assumption, most EFL students are motivated to study English with the goal of someday sounding like a native speaker. As an English teacher, to provide the necessary knowledge and instructions to these students to help them attain their goals would be my absolute honor.
