Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
General stylistics
Stylistic features of main varieties of language 3 functional varieties: 1. Fields of discourse—different social activities 2. Tenors of discourse—formal vs. informal 3. Modes of discourse—spoken vs. written
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
Functions of language: various comm. roles 1. Ideational/Referential function 2. Interpersonal/Expressive/Social function 3. Textual function Interrelated Relation bet. types & functions Different types of language—predominant functions
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
1.2 Language
Definition:
What is language?
1. Linguists’ def.: 4—Saussure’s; Bloomfield’s; Chomsky’s; Halliday’s 2. Speech acts, speech event 3. Text—verbal communication
English Stylistics 英语文体学教程
徐有志 编著 高等教育出版社，2005/03
Introduction
Course requirements
Selective Preview before class Active in class Review the lesson with “Study Questions” Attendance
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
1.5 Style
Definitions: 4 1. A person’s distinctive language habits 2. A set of collective characteristics of language use by a group of people 3. The effectiveness of a mode of expression—good/refined style 4. A characteristic of “good” or “beautiful” literary writings—literary critics
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
1.8 Stylistics and other spheres of study 1. Stylistics & linguistics 2. Stylistics & rhetoric 3. Stylistics & literary criticism
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
1.7 The concern of stylistic study
1. 2. 3. 4. Definition of stylistics Concerns of stylistics: 4 Situational features Criterion for the classification Description and interpretation Functions of main varieties Benefits of stylistics
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
1.3 Aspects of the speech event
3 aspects: 1. Substantial aspect — substance →sound/marks 2. Formal aspect — form →meaningful internal patterns 3. Situational — situation →relevant extratextual circumstance /context→meaning of the utterance
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
Classification: Modern Stylistics General Stylistics
Variety Features
Literary Stylistics
Literary Texte concern of stylistics
Style — parole by Saussure; langue Stylistic choices: linguistic choices of rendering the same subject matter/the “synonymous expressions” in transmitting the same “message” Style: a coherent /consistent pattern of choices—frequency of features
1.1 Stylistics
Definition: 1. A discipline that studies the way in which language is used; the styles of language in use. 2. Dict.—Longman: the study of style in written or spoken language Style: the particular way sb. uses words to express ideas, tell stories, etc.
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
1.4 Language varieties and function
Varieties of language: different types of a language eg. Br./Am. Eng.; Black Eng.; fml/infml Eng.; spoken/written Eng.; legal Eng.; scientific Eng.; …
Course arrangements
16 weeks, 16 units→1 unit per week
Introduction
Final marks (100%)
Final test (70%) Assignments (20%) Attendance (10%)
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
1.6 The study of style
Long history in western countries Till 19th century: art of writing & evaluation of literary works — historical/diachronic study of language 20th century: descriptive/synchronic study of language — Saussure, … 1950s: Chomsky 1960s onward: modern stylistics
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
HW:
Read the unit carefully & try to understand the concepts on stylistics. Think about the “Study Questions” on p13 while reading the unit. Preview Unit 2: The need for stylistic study.
Unit 1 The concern of stylistics
Modern stylistics: modern linguistics
2 subdivisions: General stylistics Literary stylistics General stylistics: general features of various types of language use Literary stylistics: unique features of various literary works