Module 7 functional style

Theoretical Material

The study of intonational functional styles is one of the objectives of Phonostylistics.

It’s of common knowledge that much of what people say depends on the situation they are in. It’s a truth universally acknowledged, that a person speaks differently on different occasions (e.g. when you’re talking with your bosom friend or an official person; delivering a lecture on TV or over the radio; reciting a piece of poetry on the stage). That means that every functional style is situationally determined.

The choice of a proper style is also associated with social context or social identity of the speaker (his social status, occupation) as it’s a well-known fact that the language of an educated person differs greatly from the language, for example, of a cockney even if the speech situation is similar.

The problem of phonostylistic differences is also conditioned by such extra-linguistic factors as age, sex, personal characteristics, purpose, emotional state of the speaker.

So, an intonational (functional) style can be defined as a system of interrelated means which is used in a certain social sphere and serves a definite aim in communication.

The following functional style categories can be distinguished:

1. informational / formal style;

2. scientific / academic style;

3. declamatory / oratorical style;

4. familiar / conversational style;

5. publicistic style.

The usage of a definite functional style is based on the assumption that there are three types of information to present in communication:

1. intellectual information;

2. emotional and attitudinal information;

3. volitional and desiderative information.

Informational / formal style is characterized by the predominant use of intellectual intonation patterns. It occurs in formal discourse and the task set by the speaker is to present information without any emotional evaluation. This functional style is widely used by radio and TV announcers. It’s considered to be stylistically neutral.

In scientific / academic style intellectual and volitional, desiderative intonation patterns are used. This functional style is used by lecturers, school teachers, scientists in formal and in informal discussions.

In declamatory / oratorical style intellectual and volitional and emotional intonation patterns have an equal share. It’s used in stage speech, classroom recitation, verse-speaking, reading aloud fiction.

Publicistic style is characterized by predominance of volitional or desiderative intonation patterns. It’s made resort to by political speech-makers, radio and TV commentators, participants of press conferences and interviews, judges in courts of law.

The usage of familiar / conversational style is typical of the English of everyday life in one-sided (monologue) and balanced (dialogue) types of conversations between intimate friends or well-acquainted people. Intellectual and volitional intonation patterns have a part to play here.

To sum up we can’t but mention that the knowledge of intonational styles fosters speech perception habits. Reading aloud the texts of different styles is essential to work out the speech culture. No doubt, it envisages the development of correct pronunciation skills, as well as text orientation skills which allow to unite words into speech sequences and phonopassages, and single out main ideas.