25. Stylistic stratification of the English vocabulary. Literary and non-literary strata.

25. Stylistic stratification of the English vocabulary. Literary and non-literary strata.

Basic stylistic oppositions	Grouping of words
Neutral (lack of connotation)
Non-neutral literary colloquial	Poetic words Archaic words (or archaisms) Scientific terms Historical terms Dialectical words Slang Argot Jargon

There are neutral, literary and non-literary words.

Literary words:

1.Mostly of foreign origin(mainly Greek and Latin).

2.Complex in structure

3. A feature of polished language concerned with precision and propriety.

4. There meanings are often more precise and sharp than the meanings of their neutral synonyms.

For example, sojourn ‘temporary stay’ and pilgrimage –a journey undertaken by a religious devotee, a ritual.

Poetic words. In olden times the language of poetry was markedly different from ordinary language and possessed a special vocabulary of its own. For example steed or charger for horse, welkin for sky, vale for valley.

Archaic words are words that were once common but are now replaced by synonyms. For example, damsel for a noble girl, hark for listen.

Historical terms. Denote things that now belong to the past and are only mentioned in historical contexts. For example, minstrel - a singer or musician in Middle ages.

Scientific words-Denote concepts in various fields of knowledge, and there use requires clarity of thought and precision. For example, cranium (medical)=skull(neutral)

Now, non-literal words.

Dialectal words.-Are confined to the speech of people of a definite locality, mainly the less educated, for example Cockney: loaf of bread for head.

Slang Is “ language of highly colloquial type, considered as below as below the level of educated standard speech and consisting either of new words or of current words employed in some special sense. For example, attic, hat, peg, nut for head.

Slang is characterized by liveliness, some humorous quality.

Argot is the specific language of a secretive social group. For example, rap for kill, shin for knife.

Jargon is the technical vocabulary of a specific activity or group. E.x. Medical jargon: a bell ringer-often rings the bell for attention. Computer hacker jargon: Microsloth for Microsoft, Internet Exploiter for Internet explorer/

Colloquial words-suited to spontaneous oral communication, have a tendency to be short, their meaning is often loose. E. bike for bicycle.

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