formality

'Register' is the term commonly used to describe different levels of formality in language.

“语域”是一个术语，通常用以描述语言中用语的正式程度。

There is always some degree of formality when one speaks to elders.

同长辈说话总得讲点礼节。

Some contracts are a mere formality.

有些合同纯属走形式。

They are whisked through the immigration and customs formalities in a matter of minutes.

他们在短短的几分钟内就很快走完了移民与海关手续。

Yet the loss of formality has its down side.

然而，失礼也有其不利的一面。

In the United States, however, bowing or any type of submissive body posture is particularly irritating, for it tends to connote undue formality, aristocracy, and a nonverbal denial of egalitarianism.

然而，在美国，鞠躬或任何形式的顺从的身体姿势都特别令人恼火，因为它往往意味着不适当的礼节、贵族作风和对平等主义的非语言否认。