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Lecture 2

Stylistic syntax of the english language Working Definitions of Principal Concepts.

In stylistic syntax EM are defined as the marked members of stylistic oppositions. They are certain deviations from the neutral syntactical model of the English language. Speaking about the neutral syntactical model we mean those hard rules of the English syntax which help to convey the necessary information without an additional expressiveness or emotion. The stylistically unmarked model of the sentence in English is the model: S – P – Obj. – Adv.mod. All the deviations from this model are regarded as its transforms.

The transformation of the neutral model into negative and interrogative sentences results in the changes of its syntactical meaning and doesn’t lead to any stylistic changes. Other transformations create the stylistically marked models of the sentence.

According to the type of transformations of the neutral syntactical model, all EM in English fall into 3 groups:

1. EM based on the reduction of some obligatory elements of the sentence structure.

To this group we refer: ellipsis, aposiopesis, nominative sentences, asyndeton.

2. EM based on the redundancy of the elements of the sentence.

To this group we refer: repetition, enumeration, syntactical tautology, polysyndeton, parenthetic sentences.

3. EM based on the violation of the traditional word order.

Here we refer: stylistic inversion, separation in syntactical units and detachment.

But the stylistic effect may be created not only to the relations of the elements in the sentence, but due to the relations between several sentences, so we are to analyze not only sentences but some bigger units (paragraphs and super sentence units).

SDs in syntax are means of combination of the models of sentences within the limits of the super sentence units. In this case a S. device is created not only by the combination of stylistically marked models of the sentence, but stylistically unmarked models as well.

SD may also be created due to the transposition of the meaning of the model of the sentence in a certain context. In this case the model acquires some additional meaning which is not typical of it.

Thus, according to the 1. character of the relations between the syntactical structures and 2. the means of transposition of their meaning and 3. according to the character of the connection between the elements of the given structures we distinguish the following groups of syntactical SD.

1. SD based on the formal and semantic combination of syntactical constructions of the models of sentences in a certain context: parallelism, chiasmus, anaphora, epiphora.

2. SD based on the transposition of the meaning of the structures in context: rhetoric (rhetorical) questions.

3. SD based on the transposition of the meaning of connection between sentences: parcellation, subordination instead of coordination, coordination instead of subordination.

Em Based on the Deliberate Omission of Some Obligatory Elements in the Sentence Structure.

Ellipsis – is a deliberate omission of one or both main members of a sentence for the definite stylistic purposes.

Being the norm of the colloquial type of speech ellipsis assumes new qualities when used in the written language, especially in fiction. In fiction the peculiarities of the structure of the oral type of speech may be used to characterize the manner of speech of the personages. E.g. – “Where are you going, Edna?” – her mother shrieked. – “Out.” – “Who with?” – “Minnie Watson.” (J. Priestly. Minnie Watson).

Ellipsis may also be used in the author’s narration in order to emphasize some fact.

E.g. They were a good set of lads. Took pride in their work, and that’s rare now. Broken up now. Finished. (S. Chaplin. The Sin Seam).

It may also be used in represented speech where it creates the stylistic effect of the natural abruptness of speech.

Aposiopesis – is a sudden break in speech caused by some strong emotion or reluctance to finish the sentence.

E.g. Piggy flushed suddenly: “My dad’s dead,” he said quickly, “and my mum…” He took off his glasses and looked vainly for something with which to clean them. (G. Golding. The Lord of the Flies).

Nominative sentences – are one-member sentences where predicate is omitted.

The nominative sentences may include components, which are connected with the nucleus not only with the help of coordination and subordination but with the apposition as well. E.g. Mr. George Sampson, a friend of the family. (Ch. Dickens).

The main stylistic functions of the nominative sentences are:

1. They may increase the dynamism of narration.

E.g. But if they should! If they should guess! The horror! The flight! The exposure! The police! (Th. Dreiser. An American Tragedy).

2. They may be used in the introductory description acquainting the reader with the place of the story, or presenting the background of the action.

E.g. He stopped. No light from beneath. No sound from within. (A. Hailey. Airport).

Asyndeton – is the connection of sentences, phrases or words without any conjunctions but with the help of the lexical meaning of these elements.

E.g. She watched them go, she said nothing; it was not to begin then. (W. Faulkner).

There is no formal sign of connection between the sentences. There is a deliberate omission of the connective where it is generally expected to be, according to the norms of the literary language.

Asyndeton creates a certain rhythmical arrangement, usually making the narration measured, energetic and tense.