Tenor (linguistics)

In systemic functional linguistics (SFL), tenor refers to the social relationship between participants in a communicative exchange. It encompasses the roles, statuses, and levels of familiarity that exist between the speaker/writer and the audience/reader. Tenor is one of the three variables, alongside field and mode, that constitute the context of situation, influencing the lexicogrammatical choices made during communication.

More specifically, tenor addresses questions like:

• What is the relative social status of the participants? (e.g., power dynamics)
• What is their level of familiarity? (e.g., intimate, distant, formal, informal)
• What are their roles and responsibilities within the context of the interaction? (e.g., teacher and student, doctor and patient, friend and friend)
• What are their affective attitudes towards each other? (e.g., positive, negative, neutral)

The analysis of tenor involves understanding the social distance, power relationships, and affect or emotional investment between the interactants. A highly formal tenor, for example, might be characterized by deferential language, avoidance of colloquialisms, and a clear distinction between the roles of the participants. Conversely, an informal tenor might involve familiar address terms, slang, and a more egalitarian relationship.

Changes in tenor can significantly alter the language used. The same information might be conveyed very differently depending on whether the tenor is formal or informal, hierarchical or egalitarian. Analyzing tenor helps to understand the social context that shapes linguistic choices and interpret the intended meaning within that context.