Differences between formal and casual english?

[arilando]

So something that has been confusing me lately is that a distinction is made between formal and casual english, and since i myself have never talked differently depending on which social situation i'm in, i wanna know what the difference between casual and formal english is?

[NewLeft]

Like in writing? No contractions or slang. Generally, you keep things P.C. if it's for business..etc.

[arilando]

Like in writing? No contractions or slang. Generally, you keep things P.C. if it's for business..etc.
So what are some common examples of slang? If i say something i dont know if it's slang or proper language. Anad what does it mean to keep things P.C?

[Quail]

Well you probably wouldn't use too many four letter words in formal English.

[NewLeft]

So what are some common examples of slang? If i say something i dont know if it's slang or proper language. Anad what does it mean to keep things P.C?
It depends on type of formal. Standard is without idioms, figurative words, slang terms like "hanging out"..etc. Keeping things political correct is for business formal: gender neutral language, "to whom"..etc.

[Left Leanings]

So what are some common examples of slang? If i say something i dont know if it's slang or proper language. Anad what does it mean to keep things P.C?

I can give you an example of some Cockney rhyming slang:

To go 'up the apples and pears' means to 'go up the stairs' :D

[Welshy]

Whether or not you realize it you there are probably some things that you do change when talking a in a more formal situation. For example with me I tend to not front my /a/ as much as I normally do. I also get rid of my /æ/-breaking and reduce my canadian raising. These are fairly strong markers of my dialect, Inland North, and would be probably the first thing to go when I try to speak something that is more standard for General American English (something I do in formal situations). Also I stop saying things like "…, eh?". Anyways the difference between casual and formal speech will vary based on ones geographic location and the social group you identify with and the social group the person you are talking with belongs to, so it is difficult to answer this question with out knowing much more information that we could probably know over the internet at any given time.

[ColonelCossack]

I can give you an example of some Cockney rhyming slang:

To go 'up the apples and pears' means to 'go up the stairs' :D

Shut up ya Barclay's Banker.

[Left Leanings]

I can give you an example of some Cockney rhyming slang:

To go 'up the apples and pears' means to 'go up the stairs' :D


Shut up ya Barclay's Banker.

Haha nice one :)

You know what, I wondered how long it would take you to catch on to my post, you being a Londoner and all lol.

Safe :)

[La Comédie Noire]

Oh dear me, things have gotten very English in the last few posts.

[Left Leanings]

Oh dear me, things have gotten very English in the last few posts.

I know yeah. Incessant chatterboxes we English lol :D

[MotherCossack]

what to do?
the kernal keeps arf inchin my ideas.
would you adam and eve it?

an' i'm gettin my barnet cut... little bleeder will aswell.... betcha
at least his bristols arnt as nice as mine, eh?
no you cant have a butchers....
yuck what's that pen and ink?