Module V. Functional Styles of the English Language Lecture 5.1 The Notion of a Functional Style. Scientific Prose Style. The Style of Official Documents

It is a well established and commonly accepted fact that one and the same idea can be expressed differently from the viewpoint of the language means employed. This means that words may differ not only in their stylistic reference but also in the sphere or situation of their application. Thus, we here come to another use of the term style, which is viewed this time from the purely functional standpoint.

Functional styles are historically developed and evidently distinct functional variants of the bookish literary language, whose peculiarities are determined by the needs of communication in this or that human activity. A functional style can be defined as a viable system of expressive means and definite vocabulary, which both serve the definite aim of communication.

The English bookish literary language comprises the following functional styles, five in number:

1. the scientific prose style

2. the style of official documents

3. the publicistic style

4. the newspaper style

5. the belles-lettres style

Though each style presents a separate system, they all in general frequently interact and overlap each other. Certain words and grammatical forms peculiar to a given style may suddenly occur in another one. For example, terms in a scientific work are supposed to be used in their primary logical meaning, but when used in fiction their function becomes different, that is indirect, emotive, and they are used to characterize a person, place, scene, etc. Some styles stand especially close to each other, like, for example, the publicistic and newspaper styles, because the latter bodied from the former. The style of official documents is considered to be the most isolated one in the English language. Meanwhile, the belles-lettres style may permit some elements from all the rest of styles for the sake of objectivity, parody, comic effect, satire, etc.

We shouldn’t consider the above classification to be final because some scholars do not separate between publicistic and belles-lettres style, but at the same time point out one other style which is colloquial.

However, colloquial is not regarded as a separate style in our course, because it stands beyond the boundaries of the bookish literary language. Anyway, the problem of functional styles has not yet been solved in modern linguistics.

Scientific Prose Style

From the lexical point of view, the most conspicuous feature here is the obligatory use of terms, specific for this or that branch of science. Naturally, a purely scientific utterance also includes words of the general vocabulary, but always in their direct logical meaning. This tendency is stipulated by the requirement to avoid any ambiguity in both expression and perception of the utterance. Scientific prose is characterized by a complete absence of dialectal words. We may find here selective usage of personal pronouns (first person plural is preferred to first person singular and second person is hardly ever used).

In syntax scientific prose is governed by logical reasoning, hence characterized by a strictly logical sequence of sentences and clauses and consequently by a developed system of connective elements such as so, thus, hence, therefore, firstly, secondly, etc. Impersonal passive constructions are considered more appropriate in the scientific style because it tends to be absolutely objective, precise, devoid of any individuality. It aims at the most generalized form of expression. Common are such structures as: it should be noted that, it is commonly recognized that, it is common knowledge that, it should be pointed out, it has to be assumed, to summarize briefly, as indicated above, etc.

The other peculiarities of scientific prose are: the use of quotations provided with references, the use of footnotes which conclude the ideas not directly associated with those in question but helping to reason them.

A scientific book, paper, collection of works, lecture may be intended not only for specialists in the given field, but also for a larger audience, which is little if at all acquainted with a subject. In such a case the result is popular scientific paper aimed at popularizing scientific knowledge.

The Style of Official Documents

This one can be divided into the following sub-styles. These are:

1. business documents,

2. legal documents,

3. diplomacy,

4. military pacts and treaties.

The predominant function of this style is communicative and it lies in expressing certain relations between governments, parties, the state and the citizens, etc.

Official documents of the above types can assume various forms: they may be official statements, pacts, charters, treaties, business correspondence, military orders, instructions, minutes of proceedings, etc. In the first place, just like in scientific prose, all words here should be used here in their direct logical meaning. The language of official documents abounds in clichés, terms and set expressions which prove to be stable and permanent, for example: the above-said, the above-mentioned, in accordance with, on behalf of, in every respect, etc.

Archaic forms may also be met, like thereof, hereby, herewith, therefrom.

Each sub-style is recognized by its own terminology, standard language formulae, fossilized expressions. Besides, the variants of official style are characterized by their compositional patterns because every official document has its own form, design, which is always suggestive of the information contained. Thus, business letters typically begin with the name and address of the sender and the date of the letter which is followed by the name and address of the addressee.

Treaties, charters, pacts being documents of considerable size still may consist of two, three or even one sentence, organized into well developed paragraphs or infinitival, gerundial, participial constructions.

Graphically each paragraph may begin with small letter. The paragraphs then should be separated by semi-columns. Widely used are italics, bold type and capital lettering. The paragraphs can be combined together asyndetically.

One more characteristic feature of this style is the use of abbreviations, shortening, conventional symbols, schemes, diagrams and other illustrations.