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and confusing to obscure these differences by grouping everything under
the same heading." However, they do not specify the subtle differences
in the nature of situational variables involved in registers.
In an article by Stephen Ullman, included in 'Literary Style: A
Symposium' edited by Semour Chatman, 1971, pp140-142, a more
generalized definition of 'register' is introduced. Ullmann refers to
register as "a variety of language distinguished according to use".
Then he discusses the three fundamental criteria according to which
registers are classified, namely, field, mode, and tenor of discourse.
Echoing Halliday, Ullmann writes:
"Field of discourse refers to 'the area of operation' of
linguistic activity, and this criterion yields such registers
as personal relations, politics, or the various techaical.
languages. 'Mode' denotes the medium of linguistic activity,
with spoken versus written language as the fundamental
distinction. The 'tenor' of discourse is determined by
relations between the participants." (ibid, p141)
Fundamentally a co-switching process translation according to
Nida, (1964, p30) involves "a thorough acquaintance with the manner in
which meaning is expressed through language as a communicative code-
first in terms of the parts which constitute such a code (semiotic
component); secondly, the manner in which the code operates
(philosophical component); and thirdly, how such a code as language is
related to other codes (communicative component)." (brackets mine)
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