英语文体学 Chapter 1 The Concern of Stylistics

Now we can see
A Christmas Tree Star If you are A love compassionate, You will walk with us this year, We face a glacial distance, who are here Huddld At your feet (W. S. Burford)
1.2 Language
What is language?
1. Linguists’ def.: 4 — Saussure’s; Bloomfield’s; Chomsky’s; Halliday’s - a system of innate rules - a social semiotic or social activity - a system of signs - a unified structure or a collection of habits
1.1 Stylistics
Modern stylistics: modern linguistics (apply concepts and techniques to the study of styles of language use)
2 subdivisions: General stylistics vs. Literary stylistics General stylistics: general features of various types of language use Literary stylistics: unique features of various literary works
Introduction
Stylistics — the study of style — may help us develop a consistent method of language analysis and solve problems of interpretation by bringing into focus the stylistically significant features that we might otherwise overlook. Stylistics may also help speed up the process of acquisition of the ability by its systematic description of language varieties and by its emphasis on practical analysis, and thus facilitate one’s sensitivity to language variation. Last but not the least, stylistic analysis can enhance our understanding of the ways in which impressions, effects and meanings are communicated by language in literary works.
Literature is a type of communicative discourse.
English Stylistics
Chapter 1 The Concern of Stylistics
WANG Yao @ SDUT
Contents
1 2
3
tics
Language
Aspects of the Speech Event
1.2 Language
Language or A Language? 2. Speech acts, speech event All utterances (whether a word, a sentence, or several sentences) can be thought of as goal-directed actions. Such actions as carried out through language are Speech Acts. Social activities in which language (either spoken or written) plays an important role such as conversations, discussion, lecture, etc are Speech Events.
Two Important Assumptions of Stylistics
Literary texts should be accounted for not just intra-sententially but also inter-sententially, not only in terms of linguistic facts and theory, but also in terms of sociolinguistic facts and theory.
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.
English Stylistics
Introduction
WANG Yao @ SDUT
Introduction
Course requirements
Final Exam (80%) Attendance (10%) Assignment (10%)
Course arrangements
Introduction
Stylistics is a branch of linguistics
which applies the theory and methodology of modern linguistics to the study of STYLE. It studies the use of language in specific contexts and attempts to account for the characteristics that mark the language use of individuals and social groups. (Qian Yuan)
16 weeks, 16 units→1 unit per week
Introduction
This course serves as an elementary introduction to the study of English style for Chinese EFL students. It places emphasis on practical analysis as well as the presentation of various theories in stylistics. By reading the textbook, participating in oral discussion, and conducting linguistic analysis, it is hoped the student will acquire the “semi-instinctive” sense of style. Moreover, by means of this problem-solving activity, the student will learn to exploit their knowledge for interpretation. This, to some extent, may contribute to the realization of a general capacity to use language for communication.
And we will see

Rainbow rainbow youre a twofaced sort of fellow youre a warped candybar and the sun uses you as a weapon against the shadow of the rain rainbow youre not a selfmade chap atall youre just a compound of enemies and the only reason anybody likes you is because without you theyd be nothing (William Peskett)
1.1 Stylistics
Classification: Modern Stylistics General Stylistics
Variety Features
Literary Stylistics
Literary Text Style
Genre Features
1.1 Stylistics
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5
Language Varieties and Function
Style
Contents
6 7 8
The Study of Style
The Concern of Stylistic Study
Stylistics and Other Sphere of Study