Formel vs Informel

Registres de langue en anglais americain - Savoir adapter son niveau

1. Les 4 niveaux de registre en anglais americain

NiveauNomQuand l'utiliserExemple
1Frozen / StaticTextes sacres, loi, serments"We the People of the United States..."
2FormalBusiness, courrier officiel, entretien"I would like to inquire about..."
3ConsultativeEchanges professionnels courants"Could you send me the report?"
4Casual / InformalAmis, famille, SMS"Hey, can you send that thing?"

2. Vocabulaire : Formel vs Informel

ContexteFormelInformel / Slang
SaluerGood morning. How do you do?Hey! What's up? Yo!
RemercierI greatly appreciate your assistance.Thanks a bunch! You're the best!
S'excuserI sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.My bad. Sorry about that.
DemanderWould you be so kind as to...Can you...? / Could ya...?
RefuserI'm afraid I must decline.Nah, I'm good. / No way.
Etre d'accordI concur. / Absolutely.Totally! / For sure! / Bet!
Etre en desaccordI respectfully disagree.No way! / That's cap!
PartirI must take my leave.I gotta bounce. / I'm out!
Dire ouiCertainly. / Indeed.Yep! / Sure thing! / You bet!
Dire nonUnfortunately, that won't be possible.Nope. / Not gonna happen.

3. Anglais americain vs Anglais britannique

Ce sont deux variantes du meme langage, mais avec des differences importantes.

Vocabulaire different

ConceptAnglais americain (US)Anglais britannique (UK)
Appartementapartmentflat
Ascenseurelevatorlift
Essencegas / gasolinepetrol
Coffre (voiture)trunkboot
Capot (voiture)hoodbonnet
Trottoirsidewalkpavement
Biscuitcookiebiscuit
Fritesfries / French frieschips
Chipschipscrisps
Pharmaciedrugstorechemist
Automnefallautumn
Vacancesvacationholiday
Filmmoviefilm
Portablecell phonemobile phone
Poubelletrash / garbagerubbish / bin

Orthographe differente

USUKRegle
colorcolourUS supprime le "u"
centercentreUS inverse "-re" en "-er"
organizeorganiseUS prefere "-ize" a "-ise"
traveledtravelledUS ne double pas le "l"
defensedefenceUS utilise "-se" au lieu de "-ce"
catalogcatalogueUS simplifie la fin
programprogrammeUS simplifie
Conseil Cabinet Action : Choisissez UN systeme (US ou UK) et restez coherent dans tous vos ecrits. Ne melangez jamais les deux dans un meme document. Pour les affaires internationales, l'anglais americain est generalement prefere.

4. Emails professionnels : Formel vs Decontracte

Ouvertures

FormelDecontracte
Dear Mr. Johnson,Hi John,
Dear Hiring Manager,Hey there,
To Whom It May Concern,Hi team,

Formules dans le corps du mail

FormelDecontracte
I am writing to inquire about...Just checking in about...
Please find attached...Here's the file...
I would appreciate your prompt response.Let me know ASAP!
Should you require any further information...Hit me up if you need anything.
I look forward to hearing from you.Talk soon!

Formules de cloture

FormelDecontracte
Sincerely, / Yours faithfully,Best, / Cheers,
Best regards, / Kind regards,Thanks! / Later!
Respectfully yours,Take care,

5. Contractions : le marqueur de l'informel

En anglais americain, les contractions sont tres courantes a l'oral et a l'ecrit informel.

Forme complete (formel)Contraction (informel)Super informel (oral)
I am going toI'm going toI'm gonna
I want toI want toI wanna
I have got toI've got toI gotta
Let meLet meLemme
Give meGive meGimme
Do you know what I mean?You know what I mean?Know what I mean? / Ya know?
I do not knowI don't knowI dunno
What are youWhat're youWhatcha / Watcha
Regle d'or : Evitez "gonna", "wanna", "gotta" a l'ecrit professionnel. Ces formes sont parfaitement acceptables a l'oral entre amis, mais elles sont considerees comme trop familieres dans un contexte d'affaires. Dans un email a un client, ecrivez "I am going to" ou au minimum "I'm going to".

6. Quand utiliser quel registre ?

SituationRegistreExemple
Entretien d'embaucheFormel"I would be honored to join your team."
Email a un managerConsultative"Could we schedule a meeting this week?"
Email entre colleguesCasual / Consultative"Hey, let's grab lunch and discuss."
SMS a un amiCasual / Slang"Yo wanna hang out tmr?"
Presentation clientFormel"We are pleased to present our findings."
Reunion d'equipeConsultative"Alright, let's go over the numbers."
Reseaux sociauxCasual / Slang"This is fire!! No cap"