The linguistic register is the set of contextual, sociolinguistic and other variables that condition the way in which a language is used in a specific context. Among the variable factors that characterize the linguistic register are:

Contenido

Los registros lingüísticos se ordenan de acuerdo con los siguientes factores principales o variables contextuales:.

Formality

The formality of a situation has to do with the fact that it allows a more creative or open use of language or, on the contrary, predominantly resorts to specific "formulas" or "scripts", considered appropriate for that situation. Depending on the degree of formality—sometimes called degree of ritualization because communicative interaction sometimes proceeds through a series of pre-established steps or "rites"—a distinction is made between formal and informal registers:

Derived from the informal linguistic register, there is also vulgar language, characterized by its lexical poverty, its incorrect use of language and the use of rudimentary linguistic elements. Slang or jargon are specialized forms of language with a specific lexicon, or where common words are used in a more specific restricted sense.

Specialization

When the target audience of a speech or text is made up of people whose common link is a specialized activity or a specific professional activity, the use of specific lexicon is common. According to the degree of specialization, a distinction can be made between professional or standard situations:

In the diaphasic varieties, the differences in register are manifested in the types of utterances that the speaker makes.[1]​ To create them, he makes certain linguistic choices by controlling his emissions.[1]​.

Very formal registers, which are usually called solemn") or ritualized"), are typical of situations of great protocol imposition.[1]​ At the opposite extreme are highly informal or intimate registers, which impose few linguistic restrictions.[1]​ Between the two, there are public acts") and academic acts, which require a high register; administrative or commercial ones, with a causal register; and private situations, which impose an informal register.[1]​.