Style and Stylistics | Types of Styles | Style as Man | Style as Choice | Style as Deviation |

Summary

In this lecture on stylistics, the concept of style is explored from various perspectives. Style is presented as the unique use of language by individuals to achieve specific goals, influenced by personality, social background, and context. Different types of style include those related to deviation from norms, historical shifts in language, situational appropriateness, and the writer's choice of language. The lecture also delves into how style varies according to genre and context, examining how language evolves over time and is shaped by cultural and social factors. Overall, the lecture highlights the dynamic nature of style in both everyday communication and literary works.

Takeaways

• 😀 Style refers to the unique ways individuals use language to achieve specific goals and negotiate meaning, varying across genres and contexts.
• 😀 Writers, poets, and journalists all have distinctive styles within their genres, and no two writers express ideas in exactly the same way.
• 😀 Style is influenced by an individual's background, including their culture, social and political views, education, and even geographical location.
• 😀 The concept of style as deviation refers to when writers break conventional language structures to present ideas in new or unexpected ways.
• 😀 Language evolves over time, and so does style. The English language, for example, has seen significant changes from Old to Modern English.
• 😀 Style is context-dependent and varies based on the situation. Different scenarios (formal, informal, academic) require different styles of language.
• 😀 The use of different registers in language depends on the context, such as formal or informal settings, and the medium (spoken or written).
• 😀 Every individual has a personal style that can be reflected in various actions, such as walking, writing, or speaking, shaped by their personality and experiences.
• 😀 Writers and poets make deliberate choices in their style, selecting from a range of syntactic structures, vocabulary, and stylistic options to convey their intended meaning.
• 😀 Stylistic studies focus on understanding how different elements—such as time, context, and individual choice—shape the language used in both literary and everyday communication.
• 😀 Understanding the perspectives on style, including style as a choice, situation, and deviation, is essential for applying stylistic analysis in research and writing.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lecture on stylistics?

The main focus of the lecture is on understanding the concept of style and how it is studied from different perspectives in language and literature. It explores how style is used to achieve different goals depending on the context, genre, and individual choices.

How is style defined in the lecture?

Style is defined as the use of language in different ways to achieve a common goal, particularly in negotiating meanings. It varies across different genres, such as novels, poetry, journalism, and even in everyday situations.

What are some examples of how different people or writers use style?

Examples include the distinct styles of poets, novelists, journalists, and even politicians. For instance, poets use a style to achieve aesthetic beauty, while politicians use style to communicate their messages effectively in public discourse.

Why does the concept of style differ for different people?

The concept of style differs for different people because style is subjective and influenced by personal factors, such as cultural background, education, and individual experiences. For one person, style might refer to how they walk or write, while for another, it may relate to sports or artistic expression.

How does the notion of style as 'the man' apply in stylistics?

The notion of style as 'the man' suggests that each individual has a unique way of doing things, which is reflected in their language use. Writers, poets, and even everyday individuals have distinctive styles shaped by their personality, culture, education, and other factors.

What does 'style as deviation' mean?

Style as deviation refers to the violation of established norms and conventions in writing or speaking. When a writer or speaker deviates from expected language structures or conventions, it creates a distinct style. For example, poets often break conventional sentence structures to create artistic effects.

How does language change over time influence style?

Language evolves over time, which influences the style of writing or speaking in different historical periods. For example, Old English, Middle English, and Modern English each have distinct styles due to differences in vocabulary, syntax, and spelling.

What is the relationship between style and context?

The style of language used depends on the context or situation in which communication occurs. For example, the style of writing in an academic essay differs from the style used in text messaging or casual conversation. The context determines which style is appropriate.

What is the significance of choice in style?

Choice in style refers to the options available to a writer or speaker in expressing ideas. Writers can choose from various syntactic structures, vocabulary, and tone to convey their message. These choices help shape the distinctiveness of a particular style.

What is meant by 'style as register' in linguistics?

Style as register refers to the variation in language use based on the context, particularly through three variables: field (the subject matter), tenor (the relationship between speaker and audience), and mode (the medium of communication, such as speech or writing). Changes in these variables result in different registers and styles.