10 Examples of Formal and Informal Dialogue

When starting a speech, the participants consider various factors such as the context, the subject matter, and the identities of the interlocutors, among others. Based on these considerations, the speaker adapts their speech, tone, body language, and language choices to ensure effective communication.

Formal and Informal Dialogue
Formal and Informal Dialogue

Based on the relationship between the speakers, there are two types of discourse:

  • Formal dialogue: It happens when there is a conversation between two individuals who are strangers or have no existing friendship or familial bond. In situations that require a higher level of formality, more structured patterns of behavior are typically observed, and the speakers follow an implicit protocol that governs the sequence and flow of the conversation. For instance, in a job interview scenario.
  • Informal dialogue: It takes place between individuals who have a friendly or intimate relationship and is usually informal and relaxed. For instance, a chat between friends.

Characteristics of the formal dialogue

  • Sometimes the topic to be discussed is known in advance.
  • The exchange follows a patterned order.
  • Special care is taken in the use of language:
    • There is greater precision in the choice of words.
    • Complimentary formulas are included.
    • Vulgar or overly colloquial terms are avoided.
    • The statements are more elaborate.
    • It can include technical language from a specific area known to the speakers holding the conversation.
    • Gestures are avoided and posture is taken care of.
  • There may be hierarchical differences between the speakers, of the boss-employee or teacher-student type.
  • It can also be used to express respect. For example, with an older adult.

Characteristics of informal dialogue

  • It is spontaneous, free and friendly.
  • The pronoun you is used to express friendship and closeness.
  • The topics are developed naturally, without previous protocols.
  • The conversation can be fragmented, interrupted, end abruptly.
  • There is no special care for language:
    • Exclamations are allowed.
    • Expressions that directly appeal to the interlocutor’s attention can be used.
    • Colloquial vocabulary and terminology related to specific sociolects or dialects are included.
    • There is little care in the formulation of sentences that, moreover, can be interrupted.
    • Gestures and intonation variations are used to accentuate the message being emitted.
  • There is no hierarchical differentiation between the speakers.
Formal and informal dialogue for kids

Examples of Formal Dialogue

1. Dialogue between a teacher and students

TEACHER: Good morning, students. I am Professor Gomez and I will be teaching history classes.
STUDENTS: Good morning, Professor.
TEACHER: Today we will start with the first topic of the syllabus: ancient civilizations. Please open your textbook to page fifty-four and begin reading.
STUDENT: Excuse me, Professor. My name is Marcos Dominguez. Could you please repeat the page number?
PROFESSOR: Sure, Dominguez. The page number is fifty-four.
STUDENT: Thank you so much

2. Dialogue between two strangers

A. Excuse me, sir. I’m looking for Mirasoles Street. Do you know where it is?
B. Sorry, I’m not from around here. But I can tell you where the police station is so you can ask for directions. I just passed it a moment ago.
A. Could you please give me that information? It would be greatly appreciated.
B. Of course. Just walk about 100 meters in that direction and turn left. You’ll find the police station at the entrance of the building.
A. Thank you so much.
B. No problem. Bye.

3. Dialogue from a job interview

A. Good afternoon, are you Rafael Sanchez?
B. Yes, that’s me. Nice to meet you.
A. Please, have a seat. Let me introduce myself. I am Andrew Bernard and I am the HR manager of the company. To start, I would like to ask you some personal questions. Are you employed at the moment?
B. Yes, I have been working as an administrative employee at South Company for five years.
A. Very good. And what tasks do you perform in your current position?
B. Well, I perform a variety of tasks, all related to the financial organization of the company and the payment of employees.
A. I see. What are the reasons you are interested in changing jobs?
B. Essentially, I would like to gain new work experiences, change my environment, and take on new challenges.
A. Then, I’m sure you’ll love the proposal I’m going to make.

4. Dialogue between a customer and an employee

Customer: Excuse me, Miss. I’m sorry to bother you, but I have a question.
Employee: Good afternoon, it’s not a problem. How can I help you today?
Customer: I need to return this item I bought yesterday. There’s a hole in it.
Employee: Let me take a look. Ah, I see, it’s a manufacturing defect. Would you like to exchange it for a different item?
Customer: Actually, I was hoping to choose a different color.
Employee: Of course. These are the options we have available right now.
Customer: Great, I’ll take this one.
Employee: I’ll wrap it up for you right away.
Customer: Thank you very much.

5. Dialogue between a man and a restaurant receptionist

Guest: Good morning. I am calling to request a reservation for tonight.
Receptionist: Good morning. I’ll need to ask you a few questions first.
Guest: Go ahead.
Receptionist: What time would you like the reservation for?
Guest: If possible, at nine o’clock in the evening.
Receptionist: I’m sorry, all the tables are already reserved for that time. Would eight o’clock work for you instead?
Guest: That’s a bit earlier than I’d like, but it will have to do.
Receptionist: Great. How many people will be dining with you tonight?
Guest: Five people.
Receptionist: And what name should the reservation be under?
Guest: Oscar Johnson, please.
Receptionist: Very well, we’ll be expecting you, Mr. Johnson.
Guest: Thank you, see you later.

Examples of informal dialogue

1. Dialogue between neighbors

D: Hello, Richard how are you?
A: Hello, Daniel, how are you?
D: I haven’t seen you in a long time…
A: It’s been a while. I just got back from a trip yesterday. It was amazing.
D: That’s great to hear! Give my regards to your mother.
A: Will do. Bye!

2. dialogue between friends

I: Hey Francisca, have you heard?
F: Hey Isabel, what’s up?
I: I went to dinner at the trendy bar last night and guess who I saw?
F: Who?
I: Ricky Martin!
F: No way!
I: Yes, it’s true! I asked him for an autograph.
F: And you didn’t take a picture?
I: Unfortunately, my cell phone was out of battery.

3. Dialogue between coworkers

CHARLES: Good morning.
SABRINA: Hello, Charles, what’s wrong? Something happened to you?
CHARLES: Last night I was working on the balance sheet and it took late and I couldn’t sleep. I think I need a vacation.
SABRINA: Yeah, but with the new boss, I wouldn’t dare ask for one. Did you see that he always looks so stern? He never says “please” or “thank you”.
CHARLES: It’s true, but you know what? Although he appears very strict, when you get to know him better, he’s actually kind and understanding. Today, I’m going to request my vacation.

4. Dialogue between husband and wife

ROBERT: Hello my love, it’s good that you arrived because dinner is almost ready.
INES: What a joy, darling. Today I had a crazy day, I want to take a bath and relax.
ROBERT: I also had a difficult day, the system crashed and I was bombarded with customer complaints, all very angry and demanding the impossible, that it be restored immediately.
INES: Well, tomorrow will be another day. Can you pass me the salt, please? What are you watching?
ROBERT: Here. It’s a new TV show, I think you’ll enjoy it.

5. Dialogue between a father and a daughter

FATHER: Hey, Marcia, what’s going on?
DAUGHTER: Not much.
FATHER: What’s wrong, honey?
DAUGHTER: I got a C on the biology test. I studied so hard for it!
FATHER: I’m sorry to hear that, Marcia. I know how hard you worked. I’m sure you’ll do better on the next one.
DAUGHTER: I don’t know about that…
FATHER: Of course you will. Come here and give me a hug. Everything will be okay.
DAUGHTER: Thanks, Dad!

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