Lesson 2: Stylistics and Discourse Analysis

I. Notes

Levels of Language
Phoentics- is the scientific study of speech sounds
 Basically, phonetics deals with the production, transmission, and reception of
how speech sounds.
Phonetics is the one you see on words with seemingly gibberish symbols. This symbols
are part of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Each symbol corresponds on to how
it is pronounced and how it sounds.
For example:
æ - cat, hand, nap, flat (sounds 'ah')
ʊ - good, would, should (sounds 'ooh')
i: - need, beat, tea (sounds 'ee')

Phonology- the study of the patterns of sounds in language.

  Phonology deals with how speech sounds are organized and used in a language.
 ‘b’ in other languages is the same with articulated 'buh' in English. However, if
we look at systems, English has also a ‘p’ (puh) sound. So pin and bin are clearly
different, it entirely changes the meaning whereas other languages' system don’t
make a difference.
Morphology - is the study of the formation of words.
 It analyzes the structure of words and parts of words.
 Morphology also deals with morphemes. What are morphemes? Morphemes are
the smallest meaningful unit of language. This includes prefixes, suffixes, root
words, stems and such.
Syntax- deals with the combination of words, into phrases, clauses, and sentences.
 Basically, syntax deals with the arrangement of words to create logical phrases,
clauses, and sentences. Syntax includes dependent and independent clause,
simple sentences, compound sentences, and such.
Semantics- a branch of linguistics which is concerned with the study of meaning in all
its formal aspects.
 Semantics studies the aspects of meaning in a sentence.

Semantics also deals with understanding how certain words and construction are
acceptable, but others are not. Say for example:
“My brother is a bachelor.” and not “My brother is a spinster. “
This is because 'bachelor' describes a man who is not and has never been married.
Whereas a spinster describes an unmarried woman beyond the usual age for marriage.
The 'bachelor' is the correct one to use in the sentence as it describes the subject which
is a male.
Pragmatics- study of language in use. Pragmatics studies the meaning in context
dependent on the intentions of participants in a conversational exchange.
 Pragmatics studies the aspects of meaning which cannot be captured by
semantic theory.
This means that pragmatics studies the MEANING of the language USED BY PEOPLE
and NOT THE LITERAL MEANING OF THE LANGUAGE ITSELF. It studies the
meaning of the language beyond the lexical rules and definition. For example:
A sign that says 'self-clearing' cafeteria. If we look at it in a literal word definition, we
would expect the cups, plates, and utensils will put themselves away. But this is not the
meaning of the word itself, is it? The 'self-clearing' means that students or people who
are in the cafeteria are expected to clean and put their used utensils away themselves.
Pragmatics goes beyond the literal meaning of words and phrases to understand the
intended usage based on various factors such as social situation, relationship, context,
and the way words are said.
Stylistics is instrumental in generating sensitivity in students by analyzing feature of a
text. Stylistics is available to a writer that is concerned with choices and reasons why a
particular form and expression is used. Stylistic describes things relating to the methods
and techniques used in creating a piece of writing, music, or art. Stylistic devices refer
to any of a variety of techniques to give an additional and/or supplemental meaning,
idea, or feeling. Also known as figures of speech or rhetorical devices, the goal of these
techniques is to create imagery, emphasis, or clarity within a text in hopes of engaging
the reader.

Literary devices are involved and it is its main point. When we'll talk about style, it is
how the piece is written. In literary devices, we all know that it is open for interpretation.
Different readers may have different views and this affects their interpretations in
pieces.

Linguistics is the scientific study of language, and its focus is the systematic
investigation of the properties of particular languages as well as the characteristics of
language in general. Linguistics is needed in English language teaching because it
helps teachers explain the English components and structures to the students. Every
language has a system or linguistic rules that can be learned in terms of phonology,
morphology. Syntax, and semantics. While stylistics is, it is more about the structure of
the words. It's on different level because it already involves how the readers interprets
the text/piece.

As what I’ve said a while ago, the effect of stylistics on literary pieces is of how the
writer wishes the readers what to feel. Different genre of writing, different meanings or
lessons, stylistics effects on how to make the piece be interpretative but in a different
way, more complex way.

-Functionalist Stylistics
deals with the connections between what we have in our mind of context, situation,
social, cultural, political and so on and the forms of language as a system, according to
this, language by its own does not mean everything, for example, when we hear the
word “violence” the perception in our minds say that it is something unacceptable.
Graphology is a linguistic level of research that interests visual language
characteristics, the study of language in print. Its goal is to investigate and assess
nature and personality. Graphology, inference of character from a person's handwriting.
The theory underlying graphology is that handwriting is an expression of personality;
hence, a systematic analysis of the way words and letters are formed can reveal traits
of personality. One example of this is the Edgar Allan Poe, it is said to be that his life
has many tragic happenings that happened, and he is a drunkard, it is also said that he
writes stories when he is drunk. Now, what have you noticed about his stories? it is
mostly dark stories, right? So that's how graphology is, here, we can tell and reflect the
writers' views and opinions and it will reflect how he writes the piece.

Transitivity is used to create an experimental or an intellectual meaning that deals with

how structures and events are coded in the language, It also expresses who does what,
to whom, when, where and how.

Example:
1. Ali studied Grammar in the class.
Ali =actor
Studied =process
Grammar =goal
in the class =circumstance
2. Ali praised Ahmed to other students in the class.
Ali =sayer
Praised =process
Ahmed = target
other students = receiver
in the class = circumstance

LANGUAGE VARIETIES

In sociolinguistics, language variety— also called "lect"— is a general term for any
distinctive form of a language or linguistic expression. Linguists commonly use
language variety (or simply variety) as a cover term for any of the overlapping
subcategories of a language, including dialect, register, jargon, and idiolect.

Varieties of language develop for a number of reasons: differences can come about for
geographical reasons; people who live in different geographic areas often develop
distinct dialects.

VARIETIES OF LANGUAGE

1. DIALECT
The word dialect, which contains "lect" within the term derives from the Greek words
"dia" meaning "across, between" and "legein" meaning "speak." A dialect is a regional
or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, and/or
vocabulary. It is a variety of a language that signals where a person comes from.
The word dialect comes from the Ancient Greek dialektos “discourse, language,
dialect,” which is derived from dialegesthai “to discourse, talk.”
Example: Waray, Cebuano, Ilocano

2. REGISTER
Also called "linguistic register and speech register" refers to the conveyed formality of
speech as determined by the social context of an exchange. Register is conveyed by a
speaker who adapts their language to illustrate to their audience how formal the
exchange is based on their relationship. The variations in formality, also called stylistic
variation are known as "registers in linguistics".

Some examples of this register include discussions between friends, accountants and
clients, judges and lawyers and doctors and patients.

3. JARGONS
Jargon is a faux method of creating a sort of dialect that only those on this inside group
can understand. Jargon is also sometimes known as "lingo or argot." A passage of text
that is full of jargon is said to be "jargony". Jargon is the complex language used by
experts in a certain discipline or field. This language often helps experts communicate
with clarity and precision.

Examples of Jargon: Contempt of court (legal jargon), Myocardial infarction (medical

jargon), and Accrual (accounting jargon).

Language Register

1. Frozen - This form is sometimes called the static register.

 It is used during respectful events and ceremonies.
 Used generally in a very formal setting and does not require any feedback from
the audience in a way that it discourages questions for clarifications from the
listeners which is why it is important that words are precise and carefully chosen.
 This is carefully planned and verbalized as it mainly refers on the use of words.

Examples: The Bible, The United States Constitution, The Bhagavard Ghita,
"Romeo and Juliet", Oath and Hymns, Prayer

2. Formal - The formal is used in professional, academic, or legal settings where

communication is expected to be respectful, uninterrupted and restrained.
 Straightforward speeches
 Avoid using slang terminologies
 What the speaker says is something that has been prepared beforehand.
 This speech includes polish speech, complex sentences, and precise vocabulary

Examples: a Ted Talk, a business presentation, the Encylopedia Britanica, "Gray's

Atonomy" by Henry Gray, Professional Emails, Announcements, Letters

3. Consultative - People use this register often in conversation when they're speaking
with someone who has specialized knowledge or who is offering advice.
 Semi-formal communication, sentences end shorter and spontaneous, the
speaker does not usually plan what he or she wants to say.
  Unlike frozen and formal style of speech, the level of communication making use
of the consultative style involves cooperation but not necessarily require
involvement.

Examples: the local TV news broadcast, an annual physical, a service provider

like a plumber, Doctor to patient, Teacher to Student, Accountant to client

4. Casual - This is the register people use when they're with friends, close
acquaintances and co-workers and family.
 Informal communication between peers and groups.
 Used in conversation between friends or insiders who have something to share
and have shared background information but don’t have close relations.
Characterized by:
Slang meanings or expressions that are easily understood by the communicators
without being given too much information.

Examples: a birthday party, a backyard barbeque, reunions

5. Intimate - This register is reserved for special occasions, usually between only two
people and often in private.
 It is also for self-addressed questions or self-talk.
 Used in conversation between people who are very close and know each other
quite well because they have maximum shared background information.
 Understand each other with just a single non-verbal gesture, behavior, a rising
tone of voice, a grunt or a raised eyebrow.

Examples: inside joke between two college friends, a word whispered in a

lover's ear