英语文体学教程

Chapter1

1, what is style in your opinion according to what we have studied in this chapter?

Anwser1 , from the perspective of the content, the events and activities described ,style is saying different things in different ways ;from the perspective of the ways of expression used ,styled is same thing in different ways; from the perspective of the users of language ,style is different speakers using language in different ways; and from the perspective of the text ,style is the functions of texts for different purposes.

Anwser2, the definition of style is the concept of style as choice .this definition can have at least too interpretations .one is that first we have a pre-existing thought ,and then we choice the appropriate type of expression to express it in language. The chosen expression is the style .another is that the choice refers to the choice of meaning. The choice of language is at the same time a choice of meaning and a choice of style .

2,what is the significance of studying the style of language in learning and teaching English?

Anwser, the answer is that if we want to use language appropriately in different situations , we need to study style .as foreign language learners, if we disregard the rules of using what variety of language in what occasion , or fail to obey them through ignorance , language can become instead a barrier to successful communication . Therefore its necessary to have a clear awareness of how language should be used in different types of situations especially in unfamiliar situations.

3, what factors can result in differences in style ?

Answer , 1, the different types of vocabulary create different images of the events in the re ader’s mind, so they can result in different styles.2,people living in different periods of time in history will also speak differently ,and that will result in a different style.

Chapter2

1, explain the following terms

1),foregrounding: the stylistically significant features have to be prominent and motivated ,that is ,foregrounded.

2),incongruity: the linguistic features depart from the normal use of language ,breaking the rules grammar ,spelling ,pronunciation.

3)deflection : the linguistic features don’t depart from the established grammatical, lexical and logical rules and principles ,but have an unexpected high frequency of occurrence.

4),field; its concerned with what is happening ,including the subject matter,the events happenings,going-ons, the content ,etc

5)tenor: its concerned with who is taking part in the exchange of meaning --

--the relationship between the speaker and the listener ,their relative status,their attitude,and their role relations .

6)mode: its concerned with how the interaction is conducted ,that is whether it is written or spoken ,or whether it is expressed by phonic substance or graphic substance.

2,question for discussion

2)in rhetorical series,the number of items can influence the stylistic effect.try to analyze the causes on the basis of social culture.

Answer :different numbers of words can produce different stylistic effects in the appropriate contexts. Two items express assertion ,that is ,it is just this ,not that .In appropriate situations three items can produce ethic ,persuasive, and representative effect. Four or more items in a series stress a large number of the concrete things ,and these can produce an imagery in the mind of the reader that the large amount of things constitutes a significant situation in which certain aspect are highlighted. Another function of the rhetorical series is to use concrete items to highlight abstract concepts so that the abstract concept can be expressed in concrete ,lively and vivid way to enhance the aesthetic value of language.

3)what factors affect the writer’s selection of words and style

Answer : five criteria for the selection of words :whether they are familiar or not familiar, whether they are concrete or abstract, whether they are single or more ,whether they are short and simple. Or long. Whether they are Anglo –saxon words or latin words .field ,tenor ,mode affect the writer’s selection of style.

4)what is the criterion used to classify words

Answer :we can use more systematic way to classify word according to register and dialect .register:field ,tenor , mode .dialect: regional dialect,such as London dialect;social dialect such as dialect of age, race,etc.temporal dialect such as od English .

5)through what channels can words be used to achieve transferred meaning?

Answer :simile :x is like Y, eg as busy as bee. Metaphor: X is Y ,eg he is a pig.

Synecdoche eg many hands represent the people who work with their hands . Metonymy eg purse represent money.

Chapter3

1,explain the following terms

1),chiasmus:chiasmus is formed by inverting the word order of the second part of a parallel structure,so it forms a kind of antithetical structure. Eg:let us never negotiate out of fear,but let us never fear to negotiate.