Language variation.

The notion of style is related to how we use the language under specific circumstances. Use of English involves not only our knowledge of the linguistic structure of the language. It also precipices our awareness of numerous situations in which English can be used as means of communication. There are many variants of English, where their own distinctive features as there are situations of communication. The term style refers to peculiar function that the language performs in a certain type of communicative situations. L.V. depends on various factors: geographical, social, occupational, situational.

David Crystal’s classification of L.V.:

-) regional answers to the question- where are you from in English speaking world. Speakers of different E.speaking countries use different variants of English.

-) social answers the question- what society do you belong. May be several answers because people make up different social identities in the social structure. The same person may be- a parent, wife, daughter, a member of parliament… our language reveals our permanent and temporary roles in social life.

-) occupational is associated with the person’s occupation, each professional group has their own glossary of technical terms and administrative vocabulary.

-) individual is the result of the speaker’s personal differences and physical appearance, personality, experience, interests, education. Each individual has its own dialect.

Functional styles are distinctive features of vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and syntax which are related and determined by a certain communicative situation. There are: scientific, official, publicistic, colloquial styles.

42) Scientific prose style. The aim is to prove, hypothesis and describe new phenomena scientific laws and various inventions.

§ From the lexical point of view scientific texts are characterized by obligatory used of terms specific to a certain brunch.

§ All the other words of general vocabulary are used in their direct logical meaning to avoid any ambiguity. The words are usually bookish, less neutral. There are no colloquial words, no emotional, expressive words.

§ The selected use of pronounce 1^st person plural (we) is preferred to 1^st person singular (I), the 2d person is not used.

§ In syntax S.is gathered by logical reason. That’s why it’s characterized by logical sequence of sentence which are complex simple sentences occur very rarely and in order to connect the idea a great variety of connective is used: so, firstly, finally, therefore, consequently.

§ Passive constructions are used: it must be assumed, it should be pointed out.

§ The sentences are reproduced exactly marked with inverted commas; references, footnotes

Popular scientific style: these texts not only for professions, but for large audience where may be little acquainted with the subject. The author of such a text strives to be understood by many people and because of that he avoids special terms. If he does use them he usually explains or describes them. The structure is singular, the exposition is less objective, is more vivid and attractive. The logical sequence is not always observed.

43) Official style: style of legal documents, style of business documents, style of diplomacy, style of military documents.

Main function is communicative to express certain relations between governments, companies, the state and their citizens and so on. Official doc-s may have various forms such as official statements, pacts, charters, business correspondence, military and so on.

Features:

1)all the words are used in their direct, logical meaning, they are bookish words, terms, clichйs, set expressions which are permanent: the above mentioned, in accordance with.

2)some archaic forms can be found: hereby, herewith

3)foreign words (Latin & French) are used: status quo, persona non grata, force majeure

4)there is no evaluative and emotional vocabulary, non colloquial words.

5)abbreviations, shortenings, conventional synonyms are used: ltd, Gvt, MP, HMS

6)in syntax documents consist of long complex sentences with several types of coordination.

7)it’s characterized by a great number of passive constructions, participles, infinitival, gerundial constructions, a lot of numerous connectives.

8)detached constructions and parenthesis are used.

9)all documents have a special compositional design. The text is clearly subdivided into separate units of information which are logically arranged in the order of priority. The tone of narrator is objective, concrete, unemotional and impersonal.

10)italics, bold type, capital letter are widely employed.

Date: 2015-01-02; view: 957