Which of the following is a characteristic of formal language?
standard English
contractions
slang
jargon
The characteristic of formal language from the options provided is "standard English."
A characteristic of formal language is the use of standard English.
To determine which of the options is a characteristic of formal language, we need to understand what formal language means.
A formal language is often used in professional or academic settings and is typically more structured, precise, and respectful. It follows more rigid grammatical and syntactical rules compared to informal language.
Looking at the options provided:
1. Standard English: This option is a characteristic of formal language. Standard English refers to the grammatically correct and widely accepted form of the English language.
2. Contractions: Contractions, such as "can't" or "don't," combine two words by omitting letters (e.g., "cannot" or "do not"). Contractions are not typically used in formal language, as it is expected to be more explicit and concise.
3. Slang: Slang refers to informal words or phrases commonly used within specific social groups or cultures. Slang is not a characteristic of formal language, as it is more colloquial and may not be widely understood or accepted in formal settings.
4. Jargon: Jargon is specialized language or vocabulary used within specific professions, industries, or interest groups. Jargon is not necessarily considered formal language, as it is specific to certain contexts and may be difficult for people outside of those contexts to understand.
Therefore, the characteristic of formal language from the given options is:
- Standard English