Лексикология английского языка

Lecture 2

Informal Style

(pp. 12 – 26)

1. 
   Functional style.
   
2. 
   Informal style.
   
3. 
   Colloquial words.
   
4. 
   Slang.
   
5. 
   Dialect words.
   

1. 
   Functional style
   

The social context in which the communication is taking place determines the modes of speech. When placed in different situations, people instinctively choose different kinds of words and structures to express their thoughts. The suitability or unsuitability of a word for each particular situation depends on its stylistic characteristics or, in other words, on the functional style it represents. Professor I.V. Arnold defines it as “a system of expressive means peculiar to a specific sphere of communication”.

By the sphere of communication we mean the circumstances attending the process of speech in each particular case: professional communication, a lecture, an informal talk, a formal letter, an intimate letter, a speech in court, etc.

All these circumstances or situations can be classified into two types: formal (a lecture, a speech in court, an official letter, professional communication) and informal (an informal talk, an intimate letter).

Accordingly, functional styles are classified into two groups, with further subdivisions depending on different situations.

2.