Lecture 7

THE STYLISTIC CLASSIFICATION OF THE ENGLISH VOCABULARY

1. The words of informal stylistic layer.

2. The formal layer of the English vocabulary.

3. Professionalisms.

4. Stylistically neutral layer of the English vocabulary.

5. Neologisms in English.

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 characteristic or; in other words, on the functional style it represents.

The term "functional style" is generally accepted in modern Lin­guistics. 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 roughly 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.

The words of informal stylistic layer.

Informal Style

Informal vocabulary is used in one's immediate circle (family, relatives or friends). One uses informal words when at home or when feeling at home. Informal style is relaxed, free-and-easy, familiar.