A register is a variety or level of language used in a particular social setting or for a particular purpose. It can be influenced by factors such as topic, audience, purpose, and the relationship between the speakers. Registers can vary from formal to informal to technical and can be specific to certain professions, activities, or social groups. We shall be discussing a few of them.
Registers of Families
The table below shows a list of words associated with family:
Family-Related Registers
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Parent | A mother or father. |
| Sibling | A brother or sister |
| Cousin | The child of one's aunt or uncle |
| Grandparent | A parent of one's father or mother |
| Niece | The daughter of one's brother or sister |
| Nephew | The son of one's brother or sister |
| Spouse | A husband or wife |
| Ancestor | A person from whom one is descended |
| Descendant | A person who descended from a specific ancestor. |
| Kin | One's family and relations |
| In-law | A relative by marriage |
| Guardian | A person who is legally responsible for someone else. |
| Adoption | The act of legally taking another's child and bringing it up as one's own. |
| Lineage | Direct descent from an ancestor |
| Household | All the people who live in one house |
| Extended family | A family that extends beyond the nuclear family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives |
| Nuclear family | A family group consisting of two parents and their children. |
| Foster | To bring up (a child that is not one's own by birth) |
| Heir | A person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death |
Read the passage below and fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word from the given options from the table.
My family is very important to me. I live with my ______1____, who always encourage me to do my best in school. I have a ___2_______ with whom I share a lot of fun times. We often visit our __3________ on weekends, and they tell us fascinating stories from their youth. During the holidays, we usually have a big family gathering. It's a time when I get to see my ____4______ who lives in another city. We play games and share our latest news. I also spend time with my ____5______ and ______6____, who are always full of energy and excitement. My ____7______ loves drawing, while my ______8____ enjoys playing soccer. In our family history, we have learned about our ____9______ who immigrated from Abia State to Uyo many years ago. This has given me a deeper appreciation for my heritage. As a ____10______, I feel a strong connection to my roots.
| Question | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | parents | Cousin | nephew | kin |
| 2 | niece | Sibling | spouse | grandparent |
| 3 | cousin | Parent | grandparent | nephew |
| 4 | ancestor | Parent | spouse | cousin |
| 5 | niece | Parent | spouse | sibling |
| 6 | parent | Grandparent | nephew | sibling |
| 7 | half brother | Friend | niece | parent |
| 8 | aunty | Grandparent | spouse | nephew |
| 9 | descendant | Kin | ancestor | sibling |
| 10 | descendant | Spouse | ancestor | grandparent |
