Functional Speech Styles

Functional styles, in order to avoid confusion with other meanings of the word "style", are sometimes called linguistic genres , functional varieties of the language . Each functional style has its own characteristics of using the general literary norm; it can exist both in written and in oral form. Five main varieties of functional styles of speech are traditionally distinguished, differing in terms and conditions of communication in a certain area of ​​social activity: scientific, official-business, journalistic, conversational, and artistic. Recently, a number of scholars speak of a religious functional style, the studies of which in Soviet times were not welcomed because of the state’s position on religion .

Scientific style - the style of scientific communications. The scope of this style is science and scientific journals , scientists, future specialists, students, just any person interested in a particular scientific field can act as text message recipients; the authors of the texts of this style are scientists, specialists in their field. The purpose of the style can be called a description of laws, the identification of patterns, a description of discoveries, training, and the like.

Its main function is the communication of information, as well as the proof of its truth. It is characterized by the presence of small terms, general scientific words, abstract vocabulary, it is dominated by a noun, many abstract and material nouns.

Scientific style exists primarily in monologue writing . His genres are scientific articles , textbooks , monographs , school essays, and so on. The stylistic features of this style are emphasized logic, evidence, accuracy (uniqueness).

The official-business style is used for communication, informing in an official setting (the sphere of legislation , paperwork , administrative activities ). This style is used for registration of documents: laws , orders , decrees , characteristics , protocols , receipts and references . The scope of the official business style is law , the author is a lawyer , lawyer , diplomat and just a citizen . The works in this style are addressed to the state, citizens of the state, institutions, employees and so on, with the aim of establishing administrative-legal relations.

This style exists more often in written speech; the type of speech is mainly reasoning . The type of speech is most often a monologue , the type of communication is public.

Style features - imperative (mandatory character), accuracy, not allowing for two interpretations, standardization (strict composition of the text, accurate selection of facts and methods of their presentation), lack of emotionality.

The main function of the official business style is information (information transfer). It is characterized by the presence of speech cliches, the generally accepted form of presentation, standard presentation of the material, the widespread use of terminology and nomenclature names, the presence of complex unabridged words, abbreviations, verbal nouns, the predominance of the direct word order.

The journalistic style serves to influence people through the media . It is found in the genres of articles , essays , reporting , feuilleton , interviews , oratory and is characterized by the presence of socio-political vocabulary , logic, emotionality.

This style is used in the fields of political and ideological, social and cultural relations. The information is not intended for a narrow circle of specialists, but for wide sections of society, and the impact is directed not only to the mind, but also to the feelings of the addressee.

It is characterized by abstract words with a socio-political meaning (humanity, progress, nationality, glasnost, peace-loving).

The task is to communicate information about the life of the country, influence the masses, and form a definite attitude towards public affairs.

Style features - logic, imagery, emotionality, appraisal, invitingness.

The conversational style is used for direct communication, when the author shares his thoughts or feelings with others, exchanges information on everyday issues in an informal setting. It often uses colloquial and vernacular vocabulary . It has a large semantic capacity and colorfulness, gives speech vividness and expressiveness.

The usual form of implementing a conversational style is dialogue , this style is more often used in oral speech. It does not have a preliminary selection of language material. In this style of speech, extralinguistic factors play a large role: facial expressions , gestures , and the environment.

Language means of conversational style: emotionality, expressiveness of colloquial vocabulary, words with suffixes of subjective assessment; the use of incomplete sentences, introductory words, reference words, interjections, modal particles, repetitions. Genres - dialogue, personal letters, personal notes, phone.

Fiction style is used in fiction . It affects the imagination and feelings of the reader, conveys the thoughts and feelings of the author, uses all the wealth of vocabulary, the possibilities of different styles, is characterized by imagery, emotional speech.

The emotionality of the artistic style is different from the emotionality of colloquial and journalistic styles. The emotionality of artistic speech performs an aesthetic function. Artistic style involves a preliminary selection of language tools ; all language tools are used to create images.

Genres - epic , novel , short story , short story , fairy tale , fable , ode , anthem , song , elegy , sonnet , epigram , message , poem , ballad , tragedy , scientific and artistic genre , comedy .

in Russian

• Azimov E.G. , Schukin A.N. A new dictionary of methodological terms and concepts (theory and practice of language teaching). - M .: Icarus, 2009 .-- 448 p. - ISBN 978-5-7974-0207-7 .

in other languages

• Allan Bell. Style and Sociolinguistic Variation / ed. Penelope Eckert, John R. Rickford. - 2002. - P. 139–169. - ISBN 9780521591911 . - DOI : 10.1017 / CBO9780511613258.010 .
• Barbara Johnstone. Uses of Southern-sounding speech by contemporary Texas women (English) // Journal of Sociolinguistics . - Blackwell , 1999 .-- Vol. 3. - P. 505–522. - DOI : 10.1111 / 1467-9481.00093 .
• Walter Labov. Sociolinguistic Patterns. - University of Pennsylvania Press 1972. - ISBN 0-8122-1052-2 .
• Natalie Schilling-Estes. Self-conscious speech in Ocracoke English (English) // Language in Society . - Cambridge University Press , 1998. - Vol. 27. - Iss. 1 . - P. 53–83. - DOI : 10.1017 / S0047404500019722 .