A proficient English speaker struggles with legal jargon in a brief. This illustrates which sociolinguistic concept?

Language register variation refers to the different levels of formality and types of language used in various contexts. In this scenario, a proficient English speaker finds it challenging to understand legal jargon, which is often characterized as a specialized or technical register. Legal terminology and expressions are specifically designed for use within the legal profession and can differ significantly from everyday conversational language.

This situation illustrates how individuals may have advanced skills in general communication yet still encounter difficulties when faced with a register that is outside their experience or familiarity. Effective communication often requires adapting to the appropriate register, and the struggle with legal jargon exemplifies the importance of understanding context-specific language use.