Language
and style
In
any language, different styles of expression
are appropriate in different situations. We can go from the formal
to the informal,
the written to
the spoken, from technical
language (or jargon) to slang.
| There are no "rules" as such;
nevertheless,
there are plenty of features which distinguish formal styles
from informal
styles. Here are some of them. |
Principles
of English written style:
Note:
these are principles:
they are by no means to be considered as "rules".
- a)
The more formal
a document is, the more it will use inanimate nouns as
subjects of
a sentence.
- b)
The more formal
language is, the more it is likely to use passive structures.
- c)
The more formal
language is, the more verbal nouns it will use.
- d)
The more formal
a document is, the more words of Latin origin it will use.
Conversely
- a)
The more informal
or spontaneous language is, the more it will use humans as the subjects
of sentences.
- b)
The more informal
a text is, the less
it will use passive structures,
- c)
The more informal
a text is, the more it will use verb structures (where a choice is
possible) instead of verbal nouns.
- b)
The more informal
or spoken a text is, the more words of Germanic origin it will use.
Here are
some examples; in each case, the
same idea is expressed using three different levels of formality: look
at the different changes that occur, as we move from a formal style to
an informal one
1. The
inclement
climatic conditions obliged the President to return earlier than
scheduled.
The
president was obliged to return earlier
than planned due to poor weather conditions.
The
president had to go back sooner than
planned because the weather was so bad. |
2. Please
await
instructions before dispatching items.
Please
wait for instructions before sending
items off.
Don't
send anything off until you're told
to do so. |
Essential measures should be undertaken at
the earliest opportunity.
One
should undertake any necessary measures
at the earliest opportunity.
You
should do whatever you have to as soon
as you can. |
Prior to the discovery of America, potatoes
were not consumed in Europe.
Before
America was discovered, potatoes were
not eaten in Europe.
Before
they discovered America, Europeans
didn't eat potatoes. |
From Written to spoken styles.
Written
and spoken versions of a language use
different styles, different registers. To talk in "written English" may
be no more appropriate than to write using a "spoken" variety of
English.
Generally speaking, written English is always more formal than spoken
English.
nevertheless, there are informal forms of written English (notably in
fiction
and in the popular press), and formal styles of spoken English, in
particular
"discourse", or prepared speech.
In
the following examples, the same message is
expressed in five different styles, from an extremely formal written
style,
to the very informal spoken style.
Note in
particular how the colour
coded word
groups evolve.
(The information expressed in the following examples is necessarily
quite technical, as formal jargon levels of expression are totally
inappropriate
for non technical communication).
Example
1:
a) Jargon, very formal.
This is the style of language used in official reports, technical
studies,
etc. It is exclusively a style of written English, full of
verbal nouns,technical
words and passives.
Consequent
to the appreciation
in the exchange value of Sterling against other currencies,
necessary fiscal measures were introduced
by the government in order to reduce the
likelihood of
an import-led
consumer spending surge. |
b) Written, formal, clear.
This
is clear, written English, as found in the
press or in documents aimed at ordinary educated readers.
After
the international value of Sterling rose,
the government was
obliged to take fiscal
measures to reduce
the likelihood of a
surge
in consumer spending led by cheaper imports. |
c) Written style for the general public,
discourse,
scripted radio or TV news style.
As the
value of Sterling increased
compared to other currencies, the government was
forced to take tax measures to head
off a
rapid increase in consumer spending spurred on by cheaper imports. |
d) Formal spoken style - radio, seminar,
talk.
As Sterling's
international value went
up,
the government had
to take tax measures to
head
off a consumer spending
boom spurred on by
cheaper imports. |
e) Relaxed, informal spoken style:
discussion.
There
is plenty of use of prepositional verbs. All
actions are now expressed through verbs, not verbal
nouns
As Sterling
went up in
value, the government had
to put up taxes to
stop
consumers
splashing out on too many cheap imports. |
f) relaxed, simplified, chat, very informal
spoken style;
Note
the addition of repetition and fillers.
And
you see, Sterling went
up and up in value,
so
as a result, the
government had to go
round putting up taxes, you
see, to stop everyone
going out and splashing out, spending all their cash on cheap imports. |
Example
2:
| Citizens whose normal
place of abode is outwith the United States of America are henceforth
required to register their interests with the United States consulate
nearest their domicile ; failure to register may lead to forfeiture of
fiscal exemptions on revenues paid by sources in the United
States. |
Students:
try rephrasing this sentence
in at least two less formal styles:
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