Connotation and register	

Connotation

Dictionary definition
'A feeling or idea that is suggested by a particular word although it is not necessarily a part of the word's meaning, or something suggested by an object or situation' 

Cambridge Dictionaries Online	

Connotations are often described as 'positive' or 'negative'. Words can have the same basic meaning, but different connotations. An awareness of connotation will increase your powers of expression and understanding, and is essential to making progress towards mastery of the language.

Example.

(1)
Some people read a lot of books. This could be considered a good thing or a bad thing. It woud be a good thing in that the person would increase their knowledge of both literature and the world in general through reading. But it could also be seen in a negative way. Someone who is always reading books may spend less time in the 'real world'. They might also have less time to communicate with other people, so their social skills might be lacking.

Thus we have two words, 'bookish' (negative connotation) and 'well-read' (positive connotation).

(2)
Among the many words that can be used to describe a small person are small, petite, undersized and dumpy. All have negative connotations except 'petite', which suggests that the person is small but elegant and attractive at the same time.

Modern business-speak, with its need to sound upbeat whatever the reality, provides many examples where a word with a positive connotation is applied to an essentially negative situation.

A good example would be 'restructuring', which manages to sound positive although it usually means people are going to lose their jobs. 
Some managers insist on problems being referred to as challenges. Again, the word 'challenge' has a definite positive connotation. This kind of usage, sometimes called euphemism, is
mildly dishonest and can eventually defeat its own purpose as people become accustomed to the attempted deception. Many employees would  no doubt worry at rumours of restructuring in their company, although  this use of the word is fairly recent. No doubt many would also feel distinctly uneasy if their managers said they had a nice challenge for them.

Register

Dictionary definition

'the style of language, grammar and words used for particular situations:
People chatting at a party will usually be talking in (an) informal register'

Cambridge Dictionaries Online	

The idea of register is sometimes simplified to mean 'formal' or 'informal'. However, this is neither very accurate nor very helpful, as the situations in which formal or informal language are used can vary between cultures. Business meetings, for example, are not necessarily conducted in formal language. Nor is business correspondence always confined to a formal style. 

Choice of language depends on a number of factors. A sales person contacting a client for the first time might use fairly formal language. But this is more likely to be because the person is a stranger rather than because it is a business situation. If the client became a regular contact, their language could well become very informal. 

Alternatively, depending on the industry in which they work, the sales person may use quite informal language from the first contact as a way to establishing a relationship. A person supplying building materials in the construction industry, for example, might have a hard time if they used 'formal language' the first time they arrived on the construction site.

Here are some factors that can (but do not always) influence register:

	(1) How well the people know each other
	This is one of the most important. People are usually more formal with strangers. 
	
	 (2) Written language or spoken language?
	We say a lot; we don't write much. We often write because we have to, because our work or some other necessary task demands it. So the subject matter of written language – workplace correspondence etc. - often requires a more formal or neutral style.
	
	Consider also that written language needs to be more precise - there is no one to ask for 	clarification - 	and that writers have more time to prepare their sentences.

	(3) Age and other considerations of rank 
	Bear in mind that different cultures vary in the respect they give to different age groups and
	to those holding formal rank – managers, politicians, professionals and so on.

	(4) The subject of the spoken or written language.
	People talking about a football match might be expected to use less formal language than 	those talking about a work project. But how well they know each other is also very 	important. Two colleagues could discuss a project with liberal use of 'slang'  words and 	phrases; although it would be odd to discuss a football match in the measured and precise 	language of a 	university lecture.

Examples
Choose the best version and then scroll down to check your answers.

1	Stockbroker to client
a.	I'll tell you what to do - bung a couple of grand on HSBC. You can't go wrong. They're a 	dead cert investment, believe me.
b.	I would suggest you invest  a couple of thousand dollars in HSBC. They're a very safe 	investment, I can assure you.

2	Colleagues
a.	Fancy a beer afterwards?
b.	I would like to invite you to come for a drink after work this evening.

3	Workplace meeting
a.	OK we need to sort out the arrangements for the China trip.
b.	We are gathered here today to discuss the arrangements for the trip to China.

4	Party
a.	How do you do, Ms Simpkins. I'm very pleased to meet you.
b.	Nice to meet you.

5	To a visitor
a.	I strongly suggest that you visit the Peak while you are in Hong Kong – the views are most 	satisfactory.
b.	You must go to the Peak – the views are amazing.

6	Friends or colleagues
a.	Why don't you take an aspirin?
b.	I would advise you to take an aspirin.

7	Meeting a business visitor
a.	How's it going then? Nice journey?
b.	I trust you had a comfortable journey?
c.	Did you have a good journey?

Answers

1 b 	Answer a would be unusually informal unless the client and the stockbroker had a very close 	relationship.
2 a   	Answer b sounds stilted and unnatural.
3 a  	Answer b sounds like a priest addressing a funeral congregation.
4 b  	In most party situations Ms Simpkins would probably run a mile from the awkward and 	excessively formal speaker of answer a.
5 b  	Answer a is in written language more appropriate for a very formal letter.
6 a  	Answer b sounds over formal and slightly pompous.
7 c  	Answer a is far too informal if we assume the speakers are strangers. Answer b is slightly 	old-fashioned – the sort of ornately polite language used by villains in James Bond films for 	comic 	effect.