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USE OF SUBSTANTIVATES IN VARIOUS SPEECH STYLES
Mavlonova Madina Shukhratjon kizi
1st year master's student
Faculty of Russian Philology Uzbek State World Languages University
ABSTRACT. The article analyzes the role of substantivates — words
reinterpreted from other parts of speech as nouns — in various speech styles. The
features of their use in artistic, scientific, colloquial and official-business styles, as
well as the influence of substantivates on the expressiveness and functionality of
the text are considered. Examples from fiction, scientific works and everyday
speech are given, and recommendations for their stylistic use are given. The
material is addressed to philologists, teachers and students studying the stylistics
of the Russian language.
Keywords: substantivization, speech styles, stylistics, expressiveness, Russian
language
The Russian language has a rich potential for transforming words from
different parts of speech into nouns, which is called substantivization. This process,
characteristic of many languages, allows to expand the expressive possibilities of
speech, giving the text individuality and emotional coloring [1, 56].
Substantivization can occur with adjectives, verbs, adverbs and even interjections,
forming words that begin to function as independent nominative units [2,142]. The
study of substantivates in various styles of speech is of particular interest, since
their use depends on the context, the purpose of communication and the audience.
In the artistic style, substantivization often serves as a means of creating images
and enhancing expression, while in the scientific and official-business styles it can
be limited by the requirements of accuracy and formality [3,48]. Conversational
style, on the contrary, actively uses substantivization for spontaneity and
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emotionality [4, 45]. This article is aimed at analyzing these features, as well as
identifying universal and specific features of the use of substantivates in different
functional varieties of speech.
Theoretical foundations of substantiation. Substantivation as a linguistic
phenomenon is associated with the processes of word formation and rethinking.
According to the research of A.V. Bondarko, substantivation reflects the dynamics
of language, allowing it to adapt to new communicative tasks [5, 53]. This process
can be both productive (for example, the formation of nouns from adjectives, such
as "beautiful" in the meaning of "a beautiful thing"), and individual-authorial,
which is typical for fiction [6, 24].
The stylistic role of substantivates is determined by their ability to convey
abstract concepts or concretize generalized meanings. For example, in the scientific
style, substantivization is often used to nominate terms ("study" from "to study"),
while in colloquial speech it can be expressive in nature ("silence" instead of "to
keep silent" with a hint of resentment) [4, 45]. The classification of substantivates
includes the following types:
Adjective substantivates (e.g., "young" - young people).
Verbal substantivates (e.g., "walking'" from "walk'").
Adverbial substantivates (e.g., "yesterday" as a designation of the day).
Substantivization in fiction. In fiction, substantivization acts as a powerful
tool for creating imagery and emotional impact. Writers often use this technique to
convey the inner state of the characters or to enhance the lyrical mood. For
example, in the works of A.S. Pushkin, there are constructions such as "beautiful"
or "inexpressible", where adjectives receive a nominative function, becoming
symbols of aesthetic categories [6, 13]. Such substantivates enrich the text, adding
poetic depth to it. Individual-authorial substantivization is also characteristic of
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modernist prose. For example, in A. Bely’s “Petersburg” we encounter forms such
as “blue” or “golden”, which go beyond the boundaries of traditional usage and
create an atmosphere of symbolism [7, 221].
This technique allows the author to focus the reader's attention on the sensory
and abstract aspects of the narrative. Substantivization in the scientific style. In the
scientific style, substantivization is most often associated with term formation.
Here, verbal and adjective substantivates predominate, which ensure the accuracy
and brevity of the presentation. For example, the terms "research", "analysis" or
"development" originate from the corresponding verbs and became the basis of
scientific nomenclature [5, 20].
However, in this style, substantivization is limited by strict norms, and
excessive use of expressive forms can be considered a violation of standards.
Substantivization in the colloquial style. Colloquial speech actively uses
substantivization to express emotions and spontaneity. For example, phrases like
"let's do it without unnecessary if" or "I like it like" demonstrate how adverbs and
conjunctions are transformed into independent units with an intonational or
emotional load [4, 23]. This approach makes speech lively and dynamic, although
it is rarely recorded in writing. Such substantivities enrich the text, adding poetic
depth to it. Individual authorial substantivization is also characteristic of modernist
prose. For example, in A. Bely's "Petersburg
Substantivization in the official business style. The official business style is
characterized by strict normativity, which limits the use of substantivities in
comparison with other styles. However, here substantivization occurs in the form
of standardized forms, mainly verbs and adjectives. For example, in business
correspondence, such substantivities are used as "offer" (from "offer"), "decision"
(from "decide") or "discussion" (from "discuss") [3,61]. In a legal document one
can find: "The decision will be made on May 10", where "acceptance" is a
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substantivate that ensures formality. Expressive or non-standard substantivities (for
example, “beautiful” or “yesterday”) are practically not used in this style, since
they violate the canons of formality [1,57].
An analysis of 5,000-word texts for each style was conducted. In the artistic
style (using the works of Pushkin and Bely as an example), 72 cases of
substantivization were identified, of which 60% were adjectival forms. In the
scientific style (articles on linguistics), 45 cases were recorded, mainly verbal
substantivizations (70%). In the colloquial style (recorded dialogues), there were
98 cases, with a predominance of adverbial and interjectional forms (65%). In the
official business style (documents), there were 22 cases, almost exclusively verbal
forms (90%) [2, 23]. These data confirm the stylistic specificity of
substantivization. Substantivization plays an important role in enriching the
Russian language, adapting to the specifics of various styles of speech. Its study
allows for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of stylistic expressiveness
and functionality. In the following sections of the article, examples from the official
business style will be considered, a comparative analysis will be carried out and
practical recommendations for the use of substantivates in pedagogical practice
will be given.
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