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TYPES OF FUNCTIONAL STYLES AND THEIR STYLE-FORMING
LINGUISTICS
Scientific supervisor: G‘ofurova Sarvaraxon
Student: Qodirova Noila Sardorbek qizi
Andijan state institute of foreign languages
Аbstrаct
This paper explores the various types of functional styles in language,
emphasizing their distinct characteristics and the linguistic features that contribute to
their formation. Functional styles are categorized into literary, colloquial, official,
scientific, and journalistic styles, each serving specific communicative purposes and
audience expectations. The study analyzes how elements such as vocabulary, syntax,
and phonetics differentiate these styles, highlighting their role in shaping meaning and
enhancing communication effectiveness.
Keywords:
Functional styles, linguistic features, communication, vocabulary,
syntax, phonetics, style.
Functional styles are the subsystems of language, each subsystem having its own
peculiar features in what concern vocabulary means, syntactical constructions, and
even phonetics. The appearance and existence of functional styles is connected with
the specific conditions of communication in different spheres of human life. functional
styles differ not only by the possibility or impossibility of using some elements but also
due to the frequency of their usage. The classification of functional styles is a very
complicated problem, that is why we will consider ideas of I.V.Arnold and I.R.
Galperin, bearing in mind that Galperin treats functional styles as patterns of the written
variety of language thus excluding colloquial functional styles. Both scholars agree
that each functional styles can be recognized by one or more leading features. But
Galperin pays more attention to the coordination of language means and stylistic
devices whereas Arnold connects the specific features of each functional styles with its
peculiarities in the sphere of communication [1].
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According to I.R. Galperin, a functional style of language is a system of
interrelated language means which serves a definite aim in communication. A
functional style should be regarded as the product of a certain concrete task set by the
sender of the message. Functional styles appear mainly in the literary standard of the
language. These represent varieties of the abstract invariant and can deviate from the
invariant, even breaking away with it. Each functional styles is a relatively stable
system at the given stage in the development of the literary language, but it changes,
and sometimes considerably, from one period to another. Therefore functional styles is
a historical category. Thus, for example in the 17
th
century it was considered that not
all words can be used in poetry, and that a separate poetic style exists. Later, in the
19thcentury romanticism rejected the norms of poetic style and introduced new
vocabulary to poetry. The development of each style is predetermined by the changes
in the norms of standard English. It is also greatly influenced by changing social
conditions, the progress of science and the development of cultural life [2].
Every functional style of language is marked by a specific use of language
means, thus establishing its own norms which, however, are subordinated to the norm-
invariant and which do not violate the general notion of the literary norm.
Individual style is a unique combination of language units, expressive means and
stylistic devices peculiar to a given writer, which makes that writer's works or even
utterances easily recognizable. Naturally, the individual style of a writer will never be
entirely independent of the literary norms and canons of the given period. But the
adaptations of these canons will always be peculiar and therefore distinguishable.
Individual style is based on a thorough knowledge of the contemporary language and
allows certain justifiable deviations from the rigorous norms. Individual style requires
to be studied in a course of stylistics in so far as it makes use of the potentialities of
language means, whatever the characters of these potentialities may be.
All men of letters have a peculiar individual manner of using language means to
achieve the effect they desire. Writers choose language means deliberately. This
process should be distinguished from language peculiarities which appear in everyday
speech of this or that particular individual (idiolect).
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The term “neutral style” is used mostly to denote the background for realizing
stylistic peculiarities of stylistically colored elements. Neutral style is characterized by
the absence of stylistic coloring and by the possibility to be used in any communicative
situation. This style is deliberately simplified. If neutral style serves any situation of
communication colloquial style serves situations of spontaneous everyday
communication (casual, non-formal). Bookish style corresponds to public speech (non-
casual, formal). This division does not coincide with the division into spoken and
written language because colloquial style can be used in fiction, bookish style
represented for example by oratorical style exists in the oral form only. At the same
time we should remember that colloquial speech which we meet in fiction has
undergone some transformations: the writer usually compresses linguistic information
choosing the typical and avoiding the accidental [3].
Colloquial style is divided into upper colloquial, common colloquial and low
colloquial. The latter two have their own peculiar features connected with region,
gender, age of the speaker. Bookish style embraces scientific, official, publicistic
(newspaper), oratorical, and poetic styles .
Arnold belongs to the group of scholars who reject the existence of belles-letres
style. Her opinion is that each work of literature presents an example of the author’s
individual speech and thus follows its own norm, in the work of literature authors often
use different functional styles.
She introduces the notion of language function characteristic for different
functional styles. Intellectual-communicative function is connected with the
transferring of intellectual ideas. Voluntary function serves for influencing the will-
power and conscience of listener or reader. Having in mind the fact that functional style
is a historical category Arnold doubts that in the contemporary English language exists
a separate poetic style. As it is clearly seen from the table oratorical and scientific styles
are opposite to each other the first having all functions of language, the second – only
one.
There are no strict boundaries separating one functional styles from another. The
oratorical style has much in common with a publicistic one. The publisictic newspaper
style is close to the colloquial style. But if we consider this problem it will be evident
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that we are dealing with the combination of different functional styles in the speech of
a given individual because each functional styles is characterized by certain parameters
concerning vocabulary and syntax.
According to I.R. Galperin, this is a generic term for three substyles: the
language of poetry; emotive prose (the language of fiction); the language of the drama.
Each of these substyles has certain common features, and each of them enjoys some
individuality. The common features of the substyles are the following:
1. The aesthetico-cognitive function (a function which aims at the cognitive
process, which secures the gradual unfolding of the idea to the reader and at the same
time calls forth a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction which a reader experiences
because he is able to penetrate into the author's idea and to form his own conclusions).
Genuine, not trite, imagery, achieved by purely linguistic devices. The use of
words in different meanings, greatly influenced by the lexical environment. A
vocabulary which will reflect to a certain degree the author's personal evaluation of
things or phenomena. A peculiar individual selection of vocabulary and syntax.
The introduction of the typical features of colloquial language to a full degree
(drama), to a lesser degree (in prose), to a slight degree (poetry). The belles-lettres style
is individual in essence. This is one of its most distinctive properties. The language of
poetry is characterized by its orderly form, which is based mainly on the rhythmic and
phonetic arrangement of the utterances. The rhythmic aspect calls forth syntactic and
semantic peculiarities [5].
Emotive prose shares the same common features, but these features are
correlated differently than in poetry. The imagery is not so rich as in poetry; the
percentage of words with contextual meaning is not so high. Emotive prose features
the combination of the literary variant of the language, both in words and in syntax,
with the colloquial variant.
Language of the drama is entirely dialogue. The author's speech is almost
entirely excluded except for the playwright's remarks and stage directions. But the
language of the characters is not the exact reproduction of the norms of colloquial
language. Any variety of the belles-lettres style will use the norms of the literary
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language of the given period. The language of plays is always stylized, it strives to
retain the modus of literary English.
The publicistic style of language became a separate style in the middle of the
18th century. Unlike other styles, it has two spoken varieties, namely the oratorical
substyle and the radio and TV commentary. The other two substyles are the essay
(moral, philosophical, literary) and journalistic articles (political, social, economic).
The general aim of publicistic style is to influence the public opinion, to convince the
reader or the listener that the interpretation given by the writer or the speaker is the
only correct one and to cause him to accept the expressed point of view.
Publicistic style is characterized by coherent and logical syntactical structure,
with an expanded system of connectives and careful paragraphing. Its emotional appeal
is achieved by the use of words with the emotive meaning but the stylistic devices are
not fresh or genuine. The individual element is not very evident. Publicistic style is
also characterized by the brevity of expression, sometimes it becomes a leading feature.
The oratorical style is the oral subdivision of the publicistic style. Direct contact with
the listeners permits a combination of the syntactical, lexical and phonetic peculiarities
of both the written and spoken varieties of language. The typical features of this style
are: direct address to the audience; sometimes contractions; the use of colloquial words.
The essay is rather a series of personal and witty comments than a finished argument
or a conclusive examination of the matter. The most characteristic language features of
the essay are: brevity of expression; the use of the first person singular; a rather
expanded use of connectives; the abundant use of emotive words; the use of similes
and sustained metaphors.
The language of journalistic articles is defined by the character of newspaper,
magazine, as well as subjects chosen. Literary reviews stand closer to essays. Not all
the printed materials found in newspapers comes under newspaper style. Only
materials which perform the function of informing the reader and providing him with
an evaluation of information published can be regarded as belonging to newspaper
style. English newspaper style can be defined as a system of interrelated lexical,
phraseological and grammatical means which is perceived by the community as a
separate linguistic unity that serves the purpose of informing and instructing the reader.
Information in the English newspaper is conveyed through the medium of:
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1) brief news items;
2) press reports;
3) articles purely informational in character;
4) advertisements and announcements.
The newspaper also seeks to influence public opinion on political and other
matters. Elements of appraisal may be observed in the very selection and way of
presentation of news, in the use of specific vocabulary, casting some doubt on the facts
recorded, and syntactical constructions indicating a lack of assurance of the reporter or
his desire to avoid responsibility. The principle vehicle of interpretation and appraisal
is the newspaper article and the editorial in particular. Editorial is a leading article
which is characterized by a subjective handling of facts. This purpose defines the
choice of language elements which are mostly emotionally colored [6].
In conclusion, the exploration of functional styles reveals the intricate
relationship between language use and its contextual applications. Each style possesses
unique linguistic features that not only define its form but also dictate its function
within communication. Understanding these styles is crucial for effective interaction
across various domains, whether in literature, academia, or everyday conversation.
This study underscores the importance of recognizing the diversity of language as a
tool for expression and comprehension, advocating for further research into the
evolving nature of functional styles in response to cultural and technological changes.
REFERENCES
1. Galperin I.R. Stylistics. M., 1977.
2. Ashurova D.U., Galiyeva M., Stylistics of literary text. T., Tafakkur qanoti,
2013.
3. Kukhavenko V.A. A book of practice in stylistics. M., 1986.
4. William W. The French Revolution. –Washington, 1807. –496 p.
5. The Book of Nursery Rhymes 1925. -165 p.
6. Jonathan C. Oxford Advanced Learner`s Dictionary.-Oxford University press,
1995. - pp. 106
