Functional styles of the English language (formal, colloquial, publicistic)

The functioning of the language in various spheres of human activities and with different aims of communication has resulted in its differentiation. The actual situation of communication evolved 2 varieties: the spoken (oral) and the written. In oral speech we safeguard meaning be the use of intonation, stress, gestures, mimics and voice qualities. In writing the safety of meaning is achieved by different means, so it becomes more explanatory. Written language is more conservative. The oral one is capable of guide changes and is apt to introduce innovations more willingly and feely.

The varying aims of communication have caused the literary language to fall into a number of self-sufficient systems – functional styles of language.

A style of language is a system of interrelated language means which served a definite aim to communication. Each style is recognized by the language community as an independent whole and is characterized by typical features with distinguish one style from another.

We distinguish the following styles within the English literary language:

· The bell-letters style which falls into 3 varieties: poetry proper, emotive prose, drama.

· The publicistic style which comprises speeches (oratory), essays and articles in newspapers and journals.

· The scientific prose style has 2 divisions: that used in humanitarian sciences and that used in the exact sciences.

· The style of official documents (formal): language of commercial documents, diplomatic, legal, military

· The style of everyday life speech

Formal style: the main aim – to state the conditions binding 2 parties and to reach agreement between them. The most striking feature is a special system of clichés, terms and set expressions by which each substyle can be easily recognized. Thus in finance we find terms like “extra revenue”, “overdraft”. In diplomacy such phrases “memorandum”, “to ratify an agreement” are found. In legal language: to deal with a case, a body of judges.

All these varieties use abbreviations, conventional symbols and contractions: M.P. (Member of Parliament), Ltd (Limited. Abbreviations are widely used in military documents as signs of military codes.

Another feature of the style is that words are used in their logical dictionary meaning. There is no room here for the realization of any other meaning here.

Colloquial style (neutral style) is characterized by the absence of stylistic coloring and by the possibility to be used in any communicative situation. If neutral style serves any situation of communication, colloquial style serves situations of spontaneous everyday communication (casual, non-formal).

Colloquial style is divided into upper colloquial, common colloquial and low colloquial. The latter 2 have their own peculiar features connected with regions, gender, age of the speaker.

Publicistic style became a separate style in the middle of the 18^th century. It has 2 spoken varieties: the oratorical substyle and the radio and TV commenting. The other 2: the essay and journalistic articles (political, social and economic). The general aim is to influence the public opinion its characteristics: brevity of expression, stylistic devices are not fresh or genuine (as a rule), careful paragraphing, expanded system of connectives.

Oratorical style: direct address to the audience. The use of colloquial words, use of repetition to make the listeners follow the speaker (simile, metaphor).

Essay is rather a series of personal and witty comments than a finished argument or a conclusive examination of the matter.

The language of journalistic articles is defined by the character of a newspaper or magazine as well as the subjects chosen.

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