REGISTER AND STYLE AS DIFFERENT AND ‘UTILITARIAN’ IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE VARIETIES. A SOCIOLINGUISTICS ANALYSIS

Authors

  • Tuyizere Gratien Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda
  • Lionel Iradukunda Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda
  • Leo Mutimukeye Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda
  • Jean Luc Uwimana Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda
  • Azela Mukashyaka Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda
  • Yvette Umwali Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejlll.v10i1.693

Keywords:

style, register, sociolinguistics, language

Abstract

This paper assesses the relationship between register and style, their key characteristics, and how both contribute to the sociolinguistic context. It goes on to suggest that register and style, in connection with context, are 'functional' manifestations or variations of the English language, since they often signify changes that occur in language as a result of sociolinguistic and, based on traditional dialectal, social varieties. Year two, semester two, for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with Education at Kibogora Polytechnic took part in this study. Data cards and recording devices were employed as research instruments. Recording and transcription techniques are used in the data collection process. English Language users are typically more aware of their 'immediate' linguistic environments (contexts) in terms of communication goals than they are of their 'remote' regional or social background, which informs a selection of 'appropriate' linguistic items to adjust to those language situations or demands.

Author Biographies

  • Tuyizere Gratien, Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda

    Tuyizere Gratien, a holder of a PhD in Literature and a Master’s degree from MK University, a Bachelor's degree in Arts with education from Kabale University (Uganda). As an experienced professional in the field of Languages and literature, he has a strong academic background and expertise in literature. His research interests lie in the areas of medical biochemistry, diagnostics, and laboratory techniques. His research work focuses on exploring Religion and culture underlying various beliefs and developing innovative thinking to improve community thought. He joined Kibogora Polytechnic since 2022 as a Lecturer of Languages in Education.

  • Lionel Iradukunda, Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda

    Lionel Iradukunda, Assistant Lecturer at Kibogora Polytechnic. Lionel Iradukunda holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology from Annamalai University (India) and a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from Annamalai University (India). He worked for 3 years at Kibogora Hospital, where he served in the establishment of the electronic medical record, configuration of servers, and maintenance of IT equipment. He is currently an Assistant Lecturer at Kibogora Polytechnic, from which he contributes to teaching different ICT courses in three faculties, such as Education, Health sciences and Business and Development Studies. He supervises undergraduate research projects. He participated in the configuration of different Kibogora Polytechnic systems, such as: MIS, E-learning and server system.

  • Leo Mutimukeye, Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda

    Leon Mutimukeye, Assistant Lecturer, University of Gitwe, Rwanda. Leon Mutimukeye holds a Master’s degree in Education-Kinyarwanda-Education from the University of Rwanda, College of Education. He also holds a bachelor's degree in English and Kinyarwanda with Education. He worked for 3 years at Kibogora polytechnic where he served as a part-time assistant lecturer. He worked for 3 years at Protestant University of Rwanda, He worked at Catholic University of Rwanda for 2 years, and he is currently an Assistant Lecturer at Gitwe University, from which he teaches different courses related to Kinyarwanda Language. He also worked as a secondary teacher at Groupe Scolaire Frank Adamson Kibogora for 14 years, and He supervises undergraduate research projects.

  • Jean Luc Uwimana, Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda

    Uwimana Jean Luc, Assistant Lecturer, Kibogora Polytechnic, Rwanda. Uwimana Jean Luc is a linguist with a Bachelor's degree in education with English and French from Kibogora Polytechnic (Rwanda) and a Master's degree in education with a focus on French from the University of Rwanda. He is currently an assistant lecturer at several higher education institutions. He helps the Education Faculty teach languages and other relevant courses.                He contributes to papers on language learning as a linguist.

  • Azela Mukashyaka, Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda

    Azela Mukashyaka, Assistant Lecturer, Kibogora Polytechnic, Rwanda. Azela Mukashyaka holds a Master’s degree in Kiswahili in Education. University of Rwanda and a Bachelor's degree in Kiswahili with Education. She worked for 7 years Secondary shool in teaching English and Kiswahili. She is currently an Assistant Lecturer at Kibogora Polytechnic, from which she contributes to teaching the Kiswahili course at the Faculty of Education.

  • Yvette Umwali, Department of Languages Education, Kibogora Polytechnic, Nyamasheke, Rwanda

    Umwari Yvette, Assistant Lecturer, Kibogora Polytechnic, Rwanda. Umwari Yvette holds a Master's degree in English Education from Yogyakarta State University (Indonesia) and a Bachelor's degree in English-French with Education from the University of Kibungo (Rwanda). As a part-time assistant lecturer, she worked for 3 years at various universities in Rwanda, namely, Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK), University of Kibungo, and East African University-Rwanda (EAUR). She is currently an assistant lecturer at Kibogora Polytechnic, where she teaches various English-related courses in the Department of Education and is involved in undergraduate research projects.

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Published

2026-03-24

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles