Formal language consists of speaking or writing carefully, with respect , and deference. It is, therefore, a careful use of language in certain social situations or settings. For example, we don’t speak the same way when defending a thesis as we do when watching a soccer game with friends.
In the first case, we use formal language: we use words carefully, we address our interlocutors with forms of address, and we avoid colloquialisms and vulgarities. Formal language is the opposite of informal language, where the language is more careless.
Formal language has the following characteristics :
- It’s careful. Words are measured and chosen based on whether or not they are appropriate in context.
- Avoid colloquial expressionsand, above all, vulgar ones.
- Use forms of addresssuch as sir, madam, don, and doña.
- The person usted is used in countries where túor vos is normally used to address a second person.
- Use of polite expressions, such as please, please be so kind, etc.
- Use of impersonal sentences: silence requested, Mr. Perez’s presence requested.
- It is more common in written languagethan in spoken language.
Examples of formal language
Formal conversation
In this example, we present a dialogue that takes place in a formal context (a trial):
JUDGE: Mr. Francisco Gimeno, please stand. You are hereby informed of your right not to testify against yourself and not to plead guilty. If you are going to testify, you must answer the prosecutor’s questions.
PROSECUTOR: Where were you on the morning of August 13th?
DEFENDANT: I was in my office.
PROSECUTOR: Do you have any witnesses or any way to prove it?
DEFENDANT: We closed the company that day for inventory. Only I went to work.
PROSECUTOR: Do you mean you have no witnesses?
DEFENDANT: (Silence)
JUDGE: Mr. Gimeno, answer the prosecutor’s question.
Invitation
Some invitations use formal language to give the event more importance. In this example, the invitation is for a wedding:
Dear Sirs,
We are pleased to invite you to our wedding, which will take place next Saturday, June 26th. It is very important for us to share such a special day with you, and that is why we want to make you a part of it.
We ask that you RSVP by phone or email, indicated on the back, by June 1st.
We will provide more details regarding dress code protocols later.
Without further ado, we send you our cordial greetings,
Juan García and María Velázquez
Formal letter
One of the most common uses of formal language is in writing certain types of letters. Letters that use this language are called formal letters. They are written for requests, complaints, petitions, job applications, and other types of events.
As an example, we write a motivation letter.
Mr. Dean of the Faculty of History:
I am writing to request admission to the PhD program at your Faculty, with which I am familiar (I completed my studies there). After completing my studies, I conducted a series of research projects, some of which have been published in prestigious publications.
For this reason, I believe I have sufficient experience as a researcher to take my training a step further and begin the process of obtaining my PhD.
My professional life has led me down the path of teaching, of which I am very proud. However, I believe I can make contributions that go beyond the academic field.
For this reason, I am here to request admission to the aforementioned program.
Sincerely,
Luis Rojas
You can see more in Formal Letter and 8 Formal Letter Examples .
Formal language in a conference
Conferences, presentations, and talks are aimed at a broad audience, who may not necessarily be well-versed in the subject matter. The language should be understandable, but maintain a level of formality out of deference to the audience.
In formal conferences, such as university events, formality is even more noticeable. Let’s look at an excerpt from a conference as an example.
In any case, the formulation of the objects of study is, in turn, generally very complex, often requiring the cooperation of specialists from different fields of knowledge. Added to this instrumental heterogeneity is the fact that the new hegemonic form of production and dissemination of scientific knowledge increasingly requires the development of team research within the framework of competitive, funded, and time-limited projects, as well as the publication of results in indexed journals, outside of the excluded book format, with control metrics based on impact factors.
Elena Freire Paz and Jordi Roca Girona, “Ethics and Politics of Ethnography in the Production and Dissemination of Knowledge in the Global Era” (15th Congress of Anthropology, Madrid, 2021).
