Depending on the tasks of communication, people choose different styles. This is a way of expressing one’s thoughts, which is characterized by certain traits, a combination of language means, and features of their selection. Functional stylistics is a section of stylistics. This is a science of language that studies the basic speech units and their combinations. What functional styles are and what they are will be discussed later.
General concept
Before considering the definition of the concepts “language style”, “stylistics” and “functional style”, it is necessary to expand knowledge about this area of science. Its tasks are the study of linguistic units, their combinations. In addition, she studies the means of speech.
The term "functional style" was proposed to be able to identify varieties of speech. It was introduced into everyday life by V.V. Vinogradov. This is the central concept of functional stylistics as such. The same meaning is given to terms such as “functional variant” or “functional type”. However, they are less preferred.
The word “style” defines specificity, the main purpose of the phenomenon. It is ambiguous. In the concept of style, only in the field of linguistics defines several definitions:
- This is a kind of language that has been assigned to a specific area of society.
- A set of functional language units.
- The manner of communication accepted in society, oratory, scientific, judicial or other speech.
- An individual approach to the expression of thoughts.
- The state of speech in a particular era.
The concept of a functional style in stylistics began to develop back in the Petrine era. A great contribution to its development was made by V. M. Lomonosov. He is considered one of the main figures in the development of the stylistics of the Russian language. Lomonosov developed a theory that became the main work in the direction of the history of this science. The fact is that even ancient writers were familiar with this concept. The work of Lomonosov allowed to rethink this theory, applying it to the Church Slavonic and Russian language. The scientist offers three styles:
The difference between them is the use of Slavisms in them. Nowadays, the definition of functional styles is based on the works of V.V. Vinogradov.
Definition
In textbooks, functional styling has a special definition of this concept. This is a science that studies varieties of literary languages. They have a certain scope, have special linguistic means.
Functional style is now called the historically or socially developed variety of speech, which is used in a certain area of human life. The language in which people communicate can have a specific organization.
Extralinguistic factors are the basis for the classification of linguistic styles. These include topics determined by the scope of the language, as well as the goals that communication pursues. The form of presentation and communication depends on public consciousness, the field of human activity. This, for example, may be law, art, politics, science and so on. Accordingly, they are distinguished by traditional functional styles. There are book and colloquial directions. The first category includes styles:
- scientific;
- formal business;
- literary and artistic;
- publicistic.
Non-literary style stands out. Functional speech styles in this category can be colloquial, extralinguistic. Their basis is the sphere of domestic relations. It is the sphere of activity that man is now engaged in that determines the choice of his communication style. It is worth noting that in different areas of speech different goals are pursued when discussing the same issue. Therefore, the content of the statements may differ, but the topic is discussed the same.
Features of the presented definition
The foundations of modern functional stylistics were developed by many linguists, scientists. Moreover, the modern concept of the presented definition should be considered with some clarifications.
The fundamental point is the fact that functional styles are understood as a symbiosis of public consciousness. They cannot be considered as the result of the speech activity of an individual, but as a social phenomenon. This is the result of collective consciousness. Each of his representatives is aware of such features of speech, due to which a certain functional style is created. It is used to achieve certain goals in communication. Each member of a language group understands and better perceives such information.
Moreover, the style is not developed as a random sum of language elements. This is a well-organized, socially and historically established system of speech elements. They are used in a specific context, which is indicated by functional use. Texts that are created within the same style have a specific purpose. They allow you to achieve the goals of social communication. For example, with their help they express political ideas or form public opinion. Using the appropriate style, scientific information is transmitted, etc.
Style should also be understood as a complex of typical features. Each variety has a specific set of its own lexical and phraseological structures, morphological, syntactic specifications, pronunciation options. For example, in some varieties of business style (in military-type documentation), the names of geographical objects are written in the nominative case, and verbal-nominative combinations are used in scientific texts.
Modern stylistics and functional styles are determined not only by a set of specific language means, but also by methods of combining speech elements. The same language units are defined in certain contexts. Different aspects of semantics are highlighted. Their expressive possibilities are different. The use of the same categories, their relationship with other elements of speech is different.
Science features
The foundations of modern functional stylistics were developed many decades ago. The theory has undergone significant changes. But there is no common understanding of what style is to this day.
Stylistics is a science that defines the rules for the appropriate use of synonyms and other language means in speech. She studies them at different levels. But stylistics looks at language means from its point of view. Such a scientific approach is defined in additional terms. They determine the following:
- The area of human activity in which communication takes place.
- A typology of situations in which each value is appropriate.
- Society's assessment of specific phenomena that reflect particular units of a language.
Such features can be considered as an imprint, a trace of one or another era, the field of human life. From them you can determine at what time, under what circumstances this or that style was applied. Gradually, people's speech is enriched with new shades. At the same time, the norms are constantly changing. What was normal 200-300 years ago, today would look strange. Such standards are less stringent than in grammar, but if they are not observed, you can sometimes push the person off, creating a wall of misunderstanding between themselves and them.
Therefore, the concept of norm is fundamental for language. Functional style studies those tools, approaches, language forms that are appropriate to use in a particular case, communicating with different people. A person must own several types of speech organization in order to understand the interlocutor, as well as be able to convey his point of view. Therefore, you need to consider the characteristics of the main functional styles.
Science content
Functional style is revealed in a number of concepts:
- Functional style. This is a system of characteristic features that distinguish each kind of speech.
- Factors forming a style. They are connected with the sphere of communication outside of linguistics and the linguistic type.
- A trait of style. This quality, a characteristic feature by which each speech variety is different.
- Language features. These are phraseological units and lexical turns, morphemes, word-building, syntactic units that embody the main idea and features.
- Stylistic analysis. This is the pinnacle of linguistic research, in which they rely on identifying the functions of all units of different levels.
These are the basic concepts in which functional stylistics is revealed. They are considered in school practice.
Scientific type of speech
Practical and functional stylistics of the Russian language is studied by children at school. This is necessary to create in people an understanding of the basic features, shades and nuances of communication in a given situation. Indeed, with friendly communication, for example, a scientific style is inappropriate. A person can be misunderstood. Of course, getting higher education, defending scientific work, it is unacceptable to use figures of speech inherent in the colloquial-everyday style. It may also be misinterpreted by listeners.
To understand the functional features of the basic speech styles, they need to be considered in more detail. They have characteristic features. One of them is a scientific style. Its name speaks for itself. The main feature in this case is consistency during the presentation. Moreover, she emphasized strict. All parts of the style have semantic connections, located in the text in strict sequence. In the course of the presentation, facts are provided on the basis of which conclusions are drawn.
Another sign of scientific style is the accuracy of the statements. Artistic images, epithets and comparisons are inappropriate here. This is a text in which information is unambiguous, which is achieved by careful selection of words. They are used exclusively in their direct meaning.
The use of terms in the course of presentation, as well as special vocabulary is encouraged. At the same time, an adjustment is made to which field of science the presentation belongs. Each of them has certain methods of speech, vocabulary.
Considering the basic concepts of functional stylistics, it is worth noting that it is characterized by such concepts as “coloring” and “trait”. For scientific speech, a characteristic coloring is created by abstractness and generalization. They permeate every text of this type. Therefore, it is allowed to apply abstract concepts. They are hard to imagine, feel. Here words can be applied, the meaning of which is rather abstract. It can be words such as “time”, “limit”, “strength” and so on.
In scientific styles, formulas, graphs, tables, drawings, diagrams, etc. are often used. They are more often used in writing texts, but oral forms are also possible. These include a lecture, report, and more. Scientific style genres are also specific. These may be articles, abstracts, monograms, etc.
Journalistic type of speech
An important aspect to consider when communicating is style. Functional styles of the language, applied correctly, allow to convey information to listeners, interlocutors as accurately and fully as possible. One of the main ones is the journalistic form of speech organization. Its main feature is the transfer of information to listeners, which is significant. This style allows you to have a certain impact on the reader or audience. He convinces them of something. The journalistic style is designed to inspire certain ideas, views. He prompts to action, the commission of certain acts.
A journalistic style is used in various spheres of human activity, for example, in social, economic, cultural, political, etc.
In journalistic genres, newspaper articles, essays, interviews, and reports are written. This genre includes judicial speech, speeches to the public. Oratory, reports have a similar style. Functional varieties of the language can repeat some features of each other. As in scientific texts, in journalistic style there is logic. But in this case, it is complemented by emotionality and imagery.
The judgments of the author of such a speech should be evaluative, call for some action. For this, language means of the corresponding type are used. This is a socio-political vocabulary. Syntax constructs can be varied.
Formal business speech
Considering the style of resources and functional style, it is worth saying a few words about the official business speech. It applies in the field of legal, industrial or other official relations. The main features of this style are as follows:
- accuracy that does not accept a different interpretation;
- lack of personal judgment;
- stereotype, conditionality by the standards that are used in the construction of the text;
- the nature of speech, prescribing or imposing a duty.
This style, like scientific speech, is inherent in accuracy. This is manifested in the use of special terminology. If the vocabulary is non-terminological, then it is inherent in uniqueness.
A typical, key feature of this style is the limitation of synonymous substitutions. The same words are repeated, while being primarily terms.
The impersonal nature of the judgments is expressed in the fact that verbs and personal pronouns of the first and second persons are absent. Third party forms are applied in a personally-indefinite way.
The description or narration is practically absent in the business documentation. The texts are completely devoid of emotional coloring, expressiveness. Such texts completely lack pictorial means. The functional style of the Russian language in the use of business style is studied by students of almost all specialties. Even with official statements, it is business speech that applies. Therefore, working people must apply this style.
Conversational type of speech
The functional style of the Russian language still cannot cover all cases of communication. Conversation is knocked out of the general row. This is an unofficial speech, which has its own characteristics. With this style, people communicate. Therefore, the main task of speaking is communication. The main form of this informal style is oral.
In speaking, there are several areas. It can be a literary and colloquial style, which implies the use of generally accepted words. They comply with the norms of classical literary speech. The colloquially-colloquial variety also belongs to this style. With such communication in the speech there are colloquially-vernacular turns and constructions. These turns and words can deviate to a greater or lesser extent from the norms of classical literature. The hue of such a speech is distinguished by stylistic decline.
Spoken styles can also be expressed in writing. This may be private letters, personal correspondence. Diaries are also kept in this style.
Artistic Speech Type
Functional style studies the features of speech techniques and constructions. Some areas may have similar features. So, for example, the artistic style has some qualities inherent in other types of speech organization. This is a tool skillfully used by writers. With it, the authors express their creative ideas.
Although various features of other styles are inherent in artistic speech, they appear in it in a special role. They are used for the purpose of emotional as well as aesthetic impact on the audience.
In art speech, colloquial statements are allowed. Also, dialect words can be found here, and sometimes even outright vulgarisms. In the artistic expression of their thoughts, the authors use the whole variety of expressive and pictorial means. It can be epithets, metaphors, hyperbolas, antitheses, etc.
The selection of speech tools depends on the personality of the writer, his chosen theme, genre. Also, the idea of a work can determine the style of expression of the thoughts of the author. Here there are a variety of shades, emotional coloring. The same word can mean different things and is not unique. This distinguishes art from business styles.
The functional style of such texts is ambiguous. The main goal pursued by art speech is to create certain images. For this reason, such literature often uses emotional turns, picturesque turns of speech.
, . , . . .