Stylistic classification of the english vocabulary

d) Barbarisms and Foreign Words

In the vocabulary of the English language there is a considerable layer of words called barbarisms. Barba­risms are words which came into the English vocabulary from other languages and have retained their spelling and pronunciation. They have not been assimilated into the English language bearing the appearance of a borrowing. The role foreign borrowings played in the development of the English literary language is well-known, and the great majority of these borrowed words form part of the English vocabulary. They l\ave already become facts of the English language, though they remain on the outskirts of the literary vocabulary. In many cases they have English synonyms. E.g. "chic" (stylish), "bon mot" (a clever wit­ty saying), "adieu" (good-bye), "au revoir", "pardon". These words are included into the English word stock.

There is another group of barbarisms -foreign words which does not belong to the English vocabulary. They are not registered by English dictionaries, though they are used for certain stylistic purposes. It is very easy to recognize them in the text. In printed works foreign words and phrases are generally italicized. E.g. en bien (well), allez (come on), mon-sieur (sir), tres bien (very good), udarnik, kolkhoz-

Many foreign words in English vocabulary fulfil a terminological function; Therefore, though they still retain their foreign appearance, they should not be regarded as barbarisms. E.g. acidum, allegro, solo, tenor. Unlike bar­barisms they have no synonyms.

The stylistic function of barbarisms and foreign words is to create local colour. Both foreign words and barbarisms are widely used in various styles of language with various aims. One of these functions is to supply lo­cal colour. In "Vanity Fair" Thackeray takes the reader to a small German town where a boy with a remarkable appe­tite attracts attention. The author gives a description of the peculiarities of the German menu. E.g.

"The little boy had a famous appetite, and consumed schinken, and braten, and kartoffeln, that did honour to his nation."

The context leads the reader to understand the italisi- zed words denoting some kind of food, but exactly what kind he will learn when he travels in Germany.

Barbarisms and foreign words are mostly used in the style of belles-lettres and publicistic style. In belles-lettres style the author, putting foreign words into the mouth of his personage, gives the vivid characterization of his hero:

She had said "Au revior!" not "good-bye!" (Galsworthy)

Foreign words always arrest the attention of the rea­der and therefore have a definite stylistic function. Some­times the skilful use of one or two foreign words will be sufficient to create the impression of a foreign language. For example:

"Deutsche Soldaten" - a little while ago, you received a sample of American strength. (S.Heym)

The two words "Deutsche Soldaten" are sufficient to create the impression that the speech was made in German and not in English.