ABSTRACT
In linguistic science, the term ‘register’ denoted the specific manner in which language is used in a particular field of human knowledge. This involves more than mere differences in vocabulary, and embraces differences in grammatical use, the permissible use of idiomatic expression, greater formality or informality of language, etc. Thus, for example, the subject of criminal behaviour will have a totally different ‘register’ according to whether it is reported in a newspaper, in a law journal, or in Parliamentary proceedings. Within the legal register, there are other variants which enter into operation; the language in which a particular problem of landlord-and-tenant law is discussed in consultations between a lawyer and his or her client will of necessity be different from that used by a court called upon to settle the issue.
