Theory Sheet 2

As it was mentioned above, styles are determined by the social or extralinguistic situation in which language is used. The idea of this situation comprises several factors. What extralinguistic factors or dimensions influence the choice of definite linguistic means or patterns and thus form a style of speech in general and phonetic style in particular? The greatest influence is exercised by such factors as a) the purpose of communication (the aim of an utterance) which includes the subject-matter (topic) of communication, b) the social status of the speakers and their relations to each other, and c) the place of communication.

All these factors taken into consideration form the most widely recognized division of English speech into formal and informal styles.

The formal style covers those varieties of English that we hear from a lecturer, a public speaker, a radio announcer, a priest delivering a sermon etc. These types of communication are frequently reduced to monologue, addressed by one person to many, and are often prepared in advance. They also include official and business talks.

The informal style is used in personal every-day communication. It occurs mainly in the speech of relatives, friends and well-acquainted people. Most commonly this variety of English takes the form of a conversation, since there are not so many situations when a speaker has to produce a monologue in the one-to-one or group communication with familiar people. It is obvious that intimate every-day talks develop spontaneously.

According to the degree of formality, the two styles can be further divided into the following substyles or subvarieties:

1. Formal:

a) formal-official (public speeches, official talks, etc.)

E.g.: A public speech

Mr. Higgins: I declare the meeting open and call upon the secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting.

Miss Jones: There are the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held at 4 p.m. on Friday 7th October... and the meeting closed at 5.25 p.m.

Mr. Higgins: Is it your wish that I sign these minutes as a correct record?

All: Yes.

b) formal-neutral (a lecture, a teacher's explanation, a business talk or an exchange of information between colleagues with variations depending on the status of the partners, a report on one's work or research before a small group of people, etc.)

E.g.: A business talk

- Good morning. Is this Mr. Howard’s office?

- John Howard?

- Yes. I was wondering whether Mr. Howard could see me. My name is Martell.

- Oh, yes, Miss Martell. Mr. Howard has a letter from your manager. He said you’d be writing to make an appointment.

- I decided to come instead. I was rather hoping that perhaps Mr. Howard would be able to see me this morning.

2. Informal:

a) informal-ordinary (a conversation on a train, bus, etc.; an exchange of remarks in a shop, cafe, post-office, railway station, etc; an everyday talk between friends, neighbours, schoolmates, etc.)

E.g.: A talk in a shop

Assistant: You know, madam, I think the next size will be better.

Customer: Yes, it looks like it. But I've always taken a 36 hip size before. Have I really started putting on weight?

Assistant: You shouldn't worry. You can't trust sizes. Nowadays, they seem to vary enormously. I'll just get you the size above.

b) informal-familiar (everyday conversation between intimate friends, relatives, etc.) E.g.:

- Look, what a lovely bag I've bought.

-Not again! Why, you've got a collection of them.

- But you've no idea how cheap it was. A real bargain.

- Bargain my foot. You know we must save money.

- Getting good value is saving money.

- Oh, come on. Be your age. [Карневская, 332]

The description of the styles above outlines some other dimensions that are taken into consideration in the stylistic distinction of English speech. Besides the degree of formality of communication, which involves the character of participants’ relations, it is important to consider

a) the number of participants of communication or the number of people addressed,

b) the degree of speech preparedness,

c) the form of communication and

d) the variety of language.

If we think about such dimension as the number of participants or the number of people addressed, it will be necessary to discriminate between public speeches made at a big gathering and non-public communication (for instance, one-to-one talks of people).

According to the degree of preparedness, speech can be prepared or unprepared (or spontaneous).

Human communication is usually realized in three basic forms: monologue, dialogue, and polylogue, and involves two varieties of language: written and oral.

All these factors also significantly influence the selection and arrangement of linguistic means, what involves the ways of using different phonetic patterns as well. These phonetic patterns include stylistic modifications of sounds and stylistic use of intonation.

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