1. The Problem of Styles;

2. Phonostylistics and its use:

a) Informational style;

b) Academic style;

c) Publicistic style;

d) Declamatory style;

e) Conversational style.

A person does not always pronounce the same words in the same way. The pronunciation of one and the same person may be different on different occasions, when delivering a lecture, speaking over the radio or giving a dictation, when talking to official persons or chatting with friends. These different ways of pronouncing words are called “styles of pronunciation”, they have peculiarities which may differ in different languages. Prof. D. Jones has classified pronunciation styles in the following manner:» Several different styles may be distinguished, such as the rapid familiar styles, the slower colloquial style, the natural style used in addressing a fair- sized audience, the acquired style of the stage or singing”. Some authors confuse styles of pronunciation with literary styles. They are represented in the following way: literary style – colloquial style – low colloquial style. The distinctive feature, according to Prof. Scerba is the degree of carefulness, with which words are pronounced. He differenciated the full style from the colloquial style. The full style is characterized by a moderately slow tempo and a careful pronunciation. The words are pronounced in their full form , without vowel reduction or loss of consonants, without non- obligatory assimilations. The colloquial style differs from the full style both in tempo and clearness. Prof. Scerba considers that it is useful to distinguish two main types of the colloquial style: 1) the careful colloquial style; 2) the careless colloquial style, which differs from the first in free use of non- obligatory assimilation and in tempo. (Ex.: I should like to meet her). Nowadays a new branch of phonetics “phonostylistics” has developed. The choice of an intonation style is determined by the purpose of communication and by a number of other extralinguistic and social factors. These are : 1.Informational Style; 2.Academic Style; 3. Publicistic Style; 4. Declamatory Style; 5. Conversational Style.

Informational Style.

It is sometimes called ”formal” or “neutral”. It is used in educational information, press reporting and broadcasting, especially when reading news over the radio and T.V. The degrees of formality vary. A purely descriptive text, most commonly heard in class is the ideal informational style. This style may also present round-table talks, discussions of political events, so there is much stylistic freedom.

Academic Style.

It is described as both intellectual and volitional. The purpose of the speakers is to attract the listener’s attention, to establish close contacts, to direct the public attention to the message. It is used in reading lectures, in scientific discussions, at the conferences, seminars, in class. A lecturer sounds self-assured, instructive, authoritative. It sounds very loud and rhythmical.

Publicistic Style.

It is always called “oratorical”. The aim of the speaker is to extend persuasive and emotional influence on the listeners. It can be heard in political, judicial, oratorical speeches, in sermons, debates, at congresses, meetings. It needs special training. On the other hand, the proper response of the audience inspires the speaker and stimulates him on a successful talk.

Declamatory Style.

It is also called as “artistic”, “ acquired” or “staged”. It is highly emotional and expressive, needs special training. The aim is to appeal to the mind, will and feelings of the listener. It is heard on the stage, on the screen, in a T.V. studio, it is reflected in verse speaking, prose readings and recitations. It displays a great variety of intonation.

Conversational Style.

Its aim is to analyze variations that occur in spontaneous, everyday speech. It is the most commonly used type of intonation style. It is called familiar and is used in everyday communication, in natural conversation of relatives, friends, well-acquainted people. A wide range of intonation patterns is used here. The conversation lacks in planning, semantic blocks, the words are commonly repeated, the speech is characterized by “non-fluency”, “errors”, slips of the tongue or extra fluency with elision in many words. One can hear whistles, laughs, giggles , see gesticulations and grimaces of talking people. A nose-to nose distance is the most comfortable for such talks, which are regarded as intimate.