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Stylistics Introduction and Definition Feb 10, 2020 Version (4) .PPSX
Stylistics Introduction and Definition Feb 10, 2020 Version (4) .PPSX
DOMINGO
Language School
Prof. Ángel Ortega
IDI-234 Stylistics
Stylistics
Definitions
What is stylistics?
• Stylistics is a method of textual interpretation in which
primacy of place is assigned to language. (Simpson 2004: 2.)
• Stylistics, sometimes called linguo-stylistics, is a branch of
general linguistics that deals with :
a)the investigation of the inventory of special language
media which by their ontological features secure the
desirable effect of the utterance and
b)Certain types of texts (discourse) which due to the choice
and arrangement of language means are distinguished by
the pragmatic aspect of the communication.
What is stylistics?
• Stylistics must take into consideration the "output of
the act of communication“, but stylistics must also
investigate the ontological, i.e. natural, inherent, and
functional peculiarities of the means of
communication which may ensure the effect sought.
• "A current definition of style and stylistics is that
structures, sequences, and patterns which extend, or
may extend, beyond the boundaries of individual
sentences define style. and that the study of them is
stylistics.“ (Archibald A. Hill)
What is stylistics?
Stylistics is the description and analysis of the
variability of linguistic forms in actual language use.
The concepts of ‘style’ and ‘stylistic variation’ in
language rest on the general assumption that
within the language system, the same content can
be encoded in more than one linguistic form.
Operating at all linguistic levels (e.g. lexicology,
syntax, text linguistics, and intonation), stylisticians
analyze both the style of specific texts and stylistic
variation across texts.
• "Style is a quality of language which communicates precisely emotions or thoughts, or a system of
emotions or thoughts, peculiar to the author.“
(J. Middleton Murray)
• "... a true idiosyncrasy of style is the result of an author's success in compelling language to conform
to his mode of experience.“ (J. Middleton Murray)
• The sound of spoken language; the way words are • Phonology; Phonetics
pronounced.
• The way words combine with other words to form • Syntax; Grammar
phrases and sentences.
• SPOKEN • WRITTEN
• SPOKEN • WRITTEN
• SPOKEN • WRITTEN
• child • infant
• kid • father • parent
• daddy • fellow • associate
• chap • go away • retire
• get out • continue • proceed
• go on • boy (girl) • youth (maiden)
• teenager • young girl • maiden
• flapper • begin; start • commence
• go ahead; get
Classification of Words
Compare:
– Feeling fatigued, Tom retired early. (literary)
– Tom felt so dog-tired he hit the sack early. (colloquial)
– John was dismissed for petty thieving. (common)
– John was fired for petty thieving. (colloquial)
– Penalties for overdue books will be strictly enforced
(literary)
– You have got to pay fines for overdue books.(colloquial)
– They approved of the plan. (literary)
– They agreed to the plan.(common)
Common words
– Beaver (girl)
– Smoky, bear (police)
– Nut, dome, upper, bean, block (head)
– Elevated, merry, jolly, comfortable,
boiled, tight, blue-eyed, stiff (drunk)
Technical words
• Function word
• mainly used for its grammatical function
• Examples:
a) Albeit (although)
b) The use of renaissance language in movies and novels.
c) aforesaid; hereby; therewith; hereinafternamed
Barbarisms-Foreignisms
(differences)
Barbarisms: words of other languages partly accepted. They
have a exactifying and elevating function.
Examples: chic; au revoir; tortilla; burrito; pizza; domino;
En passant; ad infinitum.