英语文体学

Unit 5 Formal vs Informal Language

英教0901班董宜之程雅洁田冬雪

Contents 5.1 The interpersonal function of language 5.2 Degrees of formality

5.3 Functional tenor and degrees of

formality

5.4 Martin Joo’s Classification

5.5 Speech situation and formality

5.6 Formality and linguistic features

5.7 Sets of co-occurring features

5.8 Involved vs informational texts

5.9 Tenors, field, and mode

5.1 The interpersonal

function of language

1.Functions of language:

●the ideational / referential function

●the interpersonal / social / expressive function

●the textual function

2. Tenors of discourse: the relationship between participants in the situation, their roles and status.

The participant relations that determine the tenor of discourse

range through varying degrees of permanence.

●Most temporary: at a party, on a train

●Well-established: parents and children

●Intermediate: teacher and pupil

labor and management

The number and types of roles to be played by both addresser and addressee are on a large part determined by the structure of

society: by economic status, by education, by occupation, by ethnic group, by gender.

What is more, the language an individual uses will redefine each situation.

e.g.

●How do you do?

---relationship as that of stranger to stranger

●Hello, glad to meet you again. ---acquaintances

5.2 Degrees of

formality Formality: the way in which the style of language will vary in appropriateness according to the social context: the occasion and the relationship between addresser and addressee (s). Personal tenor expresses the various roles assumed by the participants and the degree of formality of their relationship.

The address forms people use are probably the most direct and obvious means to indicate roles and relationships. Three most frequently used address forms:

1) the reciprocal exchange of

Title plus Last Name (TLN);

2) the reciprocal exchange of

First Name (FN);

3) the non-reciprocal pattern in which one person uses FN and the other TLN.

The difference in personal tenor between formal (relatively stiff, cold, polite, impersonal) and informal (relatively relaxed, warm, rude, friendly) as shown in corresponding linguistic contrast involving grammar, vocabulary and phonology: 1) Patrons are requested to ascend to the next floor. (formal)

2) OK, guys! Get up to the next floor! (informal)

3) I should most certainly like to attend your ball, Sir Reginald. (formal)

4) I’d like to come to your do, Reg. (informal)

5.3 Functional tenor and

degrees of formality Functional tenor tells us the addresser’s intention of using the language.

Different situational types of language are endowed with different predominant functions, e.g.

●advertising with persuasion

●a lecture with exposition

●a political speech with agitation

●a sermon with exhortation and teaching.

Certain functional tenors can hit any point on the personal tenor formality continuum, e.g.

an expository speech: formal, with many passive constructions and a technical vocabulary; or, informal, in an ad-lib manner, with personal

anecdotes, reference to the audience.

an insult: formal (formal structure and vocabulary, calm or deliberate delivery) or informal.

Martin Joos’classification

The range of formality:

frozen, formal, consultative, casual, and intimate.

The frozen level:is used for written legal documents or highly solemn speech which consists of memorized sentences that must be repeated verbatim. These might include quotations from proverbs or ritual expressions which are part of a formal ceremony.

The formal level ：is used for public addresses such as lectures or speeches where the audience is not known to the speaker personally or where personal acquaintance is not acknowledged. This level requires much attention to form，and allows little or no interaction. It is typically marked with the use of may place of might . The speaker is usually considered to be an authority and, therefore, has higher status than the hearers for that particular event.

The consultative level ：is used at less formal gatherings such as committee meetings where status is still fairly clearly designated, but where participants interact. There is still considerable attention to form (with rather clear pronunciation, accurate wording and complete sentences), and participants may not know each other well. It may be necessary for speakers to elaborate and give a significant amount of background material.

The casual level:is used among friends, or peers who know each other well enough that little elaboration is necessary. Participants pay very little attention to form (shown by the use of slang and ellipsis as in 'Been a good thing if...') and concentrate totally on content and relationship.

the intimate level：l anguage used between people who see each other daily (family members for instance) and share the majority of their daily life experiences. As a result, language is unelaborated and conversation may be meaningless to outsiders because of its telegraphic quality. No attention is paid to form.

e.g.

1) My beloved parent has just passed to his heavenly reward.

2) My dear father has just expired.

3) My father has just passed away.

4) My dad has died.

5) My old man just kicked the bucket.

---by Martin Joos

Joo's categories prensent an efficient way of looking at degrees of formality.It is fairly easy to distinguish the frozen style of (written)legal documents from the intimate style of (spoken)interchanges between close friends.But it is not easy to categorie the intervening degrees,or relate them to linguistic features.So most linguists agree that the situation is more complex than Joos imagined and see the range as a continuum from the most formal to the most informal/intimate,with an infinite number of stopping places in between.

Speech situation and formality The speech situation:the setting, purpose, audience, social relations, and topic.

Variation of registers may shift the level of formality.

It is true that speakers assess the situation before selecting a register,but it is also true that the register choice helps to create the social situation.

The solemn tone and the elaborate way of

opening the speech can really make the

audience feel 'frozen':

Madame Chairman, Mrs Vice-president, Honoured Guests, Faculty and Friends:

I feel most deeply honoured to have been invited to speak to such an illustrious gathering tonight and to be given the priviledge of presenting to my distinguished colleagues, especially Dr Monrovia, what we have recently found in a demanding research project in the field of sociolinguistics, an area of study that, we feel, may have great potential for your profession also.

e.g.

The introductory sentences of a speech in four different styles:

a. the solemn tone and the elaborate way of opening the speech;

b. the formal way of opening the speech;

c. the casual way;

d. the intimate way.