Basic approaches to language investigation. The functions of language.

Stylistics as a linguistic discipline. The subject-matter and aims of stylistics.

The word stylistics is derived from the Latin word 'stylus' which meant a short stick sharp at one end and flat at the other used by the Romans for writing on wax tablets.

The object of a science is a certain phenomenon, or a system of objects which exist irrespective of the cognising and transforming role of human mind.

The subject-matter of a science covers one or several aspects of the given object.

The object of any linguistic discipline is language which due to its complexity is studied by different studies.

The subject matter of stylistics is the study of the means of realization of the main and additional language functions which guarantee the efficiency of speech activity on the part of the speaker.

Stylistics is a linguistic discipline which studies nominative and communicative language units and the principles according to which the units of all language levels are selected for achieving a certain pragmatic aim in different communicative situations.

Aim at large is a presupposed result of conscious human activity.

Pragmatic aim is the aim which consists in changing the state of the listener as the result of communication.

Linguistic (constructive) aim lies in building an utterance from the structural elements of a language for achieving a certain pragmatic aim.

Basic approaches to language investigation. The functions of language.

Language is a human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, feelings and desires by means of a system of sounds and sound symbols.

Linguistics uses three basic approaches to language investigation:

a) substantial,

b) structural,

c) functional.

According to the substantial approach, language units and their subsystems are viewed through their material form.

According to the structural approach, language units and their subsystems are viewed from the standpoint of their structure and the relations between the units.

The functional approach aims at investigating the outward aspect of language units as well as their subsystems through studying these units within a wider system or environment.

The functional approach takes into account the role of language units in communication, their interrelation in the utterance that makes it possible to render not only main logical information but different types of additional information.

These two types of information correlate with two types of language functions: main and additional.

The main language functions are:

1. communicative – communicating the message;

2. nominative (cognitive-reflective).

The additional language functions are:

1. emotive – the expression of the feelings of the speaker;

2. volitional – expression of one’s will and making the addressee to do the desirable action;

3. appeal making – drawing attention of the hearer inclining him to accept information;

4. contact making – showing one’s interest or attention to the message;

5. aesthetic – influence on the a aesthetic feelings.

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