An Overview of

Stylistics

Module THE CONCEPTS OF STYLE

1 AND
STYLISTICS
TIME FRAME: 3 hours within the first week of the class
OBJECTIVES:
• define style and stylistics
• identify and explain at least three perspectives on style
• explain stylistics as a multi-dimensional discipline

INTRODUCTION

Stylistics is a discipline which has been approached from many perspectives.

Its definition varies based on the theory being used or adopted. When it was
connected on different areas either spoken or written form, we often utilize devices
of thought as well as the rules of language which may varied in terms of meaning or
having the same in different way of presenting it. This is what the concept of style is
based upon: the use of language in different ways, all for the purpose of achieving a
common goal - to negotiate meanings.

Meaning of Stylistics and its Approaches

Lesson 1

Stylistics is a broad term that has assumed different meanings from different
linguistic scholars. But it can simply be said to be the study of style. Style on its own
as defined by Lucas (1955:9) is:
 the effective use of language, especially in prose, whether to make
statements or to rouse emotions. It involves first of all the power to
put fact with clarity and brevity.
Style has also been defined as the description and analysis of the variability
forms of linguistic items in actual language use. Leech (1969:14) quotes Aristotle as
saying that “the most effective means of achieving both clarity and diction and a
certain dignity is the use of altered from of words.”

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 An Overview of
Stylistics

Stylistics is also defined as a study

of the different styles that are present in either a given utterance or a written text or
document. The consistent appearance of certain structures, items and elements in a
speech, an utterance or in a given text is one of the major concerns of Stylistics.
Stylistics requires the use of traditional levels of linguistic description such as sounds,
form, structure and meaning. It then follows that the consistent appearance of
certain structures, items and elements in speech utterances or in a given text is one
of the major concerns of stylistics. Linguistic Stylistic studies are concerned with the
varieties of language and the exploration of some of the formal linguistic features
which characterize them. The essence and the usefulness of stylistics is that it
enables the immediate understanding of utterances and texts, thereby maximising
our enjoyment of the texts.
The concepts of style and stylistic variation in language are based on the
general notion that within the language system, the content can be encoded in more
than one linguistic form. Thus, it is possible for it to operate at all linguistic levels
such as phonological, lexical and syntactic. Therefore, style may be regarded as a
choice of linguistic means, as deviation from the norms of language use, as recurrent
features of linguistic forms and as comparisons. Stylistics deals with a wide range of
language varieties and styles that that are possible in creating different texts,
whether spoken or written, monologue or dialogue, formal or informal, scientific or
religious etc.
Again, stylistics is concerned with the study of the language of literature or
the study of the language habits of particular authors and their writing patterns.
From the foregoing, stylistics can be said to be the techniques of explication which
allows us to define objectively what an author has done, (linguistic or non-linguistic),
in his use of language. The main aim of stylistics is to enable us understand the intent
of the author in the manner the information has been passed across by the author or
writer. Therefore, stylistics is concerned with the examination of grammar, lexis,
semantics as well as phonological properties and discursive devices. Stylistics is more
interested in the significance of function that the chosen style fulfils.
STYLE AS A CHOICE
While examining the concept stylistics, it is equally essential to give attention
to the notion of choice. Choice is a very vital instrument of stylistics since it deals

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with the variations and the options that

are available to an author. Since language provides its users with more than one
choice in a given situation, there are different choices available to the writer in a
given text. This then depends on the situation and genre the writer chooses in
expressing thoughts and opinions. Traugott and Pratt (1980: 29 – 30) clarify the
connection between language and choice as the characteristic choices exhibited in a
text.
With the writer’s choice, there is a reflection of his ego and the social
condition of his environment. In determining the appropriate choice of linguistic
elements, two important choice planes are open to the writer: the paradigmatic and
the syntagmatic. The paradigmatic axis is also referred to as the vertical or choice
axis while the syntagmatic is the horizontal axis. The vertical axis gives a variety of
choices between one item and other items; the writer then chooses the most
appropriate word. Thus, the paradigmatic axis is able to account for the given fillers
that occupy a particular slot while still maintaining the structure of the sentence. At
the paradigmatic level, for example, a writer or speaker can choose between “start”
and “commence”,
“go” and “proceed.”
Style as the Man
This is based on the notion that every individual has his or her own unique
way of doing things and that no two persons are of exactly the same character. There
are always distinctive features that distinguish one person from the other; thus in
literary style, one is able to differentiate between the writings of Soyinka and
Achebe, based on their use of language, among other things. A person’s style may
also be shaped by his social and political background, religious inclination, culture,
education, geographical location, etc. Simply put, the notion of style as the man sees
style as an index of personality. But this perspective is not without its own problems.
For example, one may exhibit different styles on different occasions; when this
happens, do we say the writer has different personalities?
Style as Deviation
When an idea is presented in a way that is different from the expected way,
then we say such a manner of carrying it out has deviated from the norm. The
concept of style as deviation is based on the notion that there are rules, conventions

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and regulations that guide the different

activities that must be executed. Thus, when these conventions are not complied
with, there is deviation. Deviation in stylistics is concerned with the use of different
styles from the expected norm of language use in a given genre of writing. It is a
departure from what is taken as the common practice. Language deviation refers to
an intentional selection or choice of language use outside of the range of normal
language. Language is a system organised in an organic structure by rules and it
provides all the rules for its use such as phonetic, grammatical, lexical, etc. Thus, any
piece of writing or material that has intentionally jettisoned the rules of language in
some way is said to have deviated. Stylistics helps to identify how and why a text has
deviated. Trangott and Pratt (1980: 31) believe that the idea of style as deviance is
favoured by the “generative frame of reference.” It is an old concept which stems
from the work of such scholars as Jan Mukarovsky. Mukarovsky relates style to
foregrounding and says that “the violation of the norm of the standard… is what
makes possible the poetic utilization of language” (see Traugott and Pratt 1980: 31).
Deviation may occur at any level of language description e.g. phonological,
graphological, syntactic, lexico-semantic, etc. At the graphological level, for example,
we may see capital letters where they are not supposed to be. At the syntactic level,
subject and verb may not agree in number. Or the normal order of the clause
elements may not be observed e.g. Adjunct may come before the subject. At the
lexicosemantic level, words that should not go together may be deliberately brought
together. e.g “dangerous safety,” “open secret.”
Style as Conformity
Style as conformity can be seen as the first available option for a writer to
express himself. This is so because virtually all possible fields that a written material
can belong to have been established. Any style that is distinct is so as a result of
deviation. In fact, it is on the notion of “style as conformity” that the idea of “style as
choice” operates and then results in or brings out the possibility of style as deviation.
That is, a writer needs, first of all, to decide whether to conform to the established
style or to deviate. It is not in all situations that a writer enjoys flexibility to deviate.
Style as conformity is often “strictly enforced” in certain fields or circumstances. This
is often in academic/educational field as regard students’ research projects. It is also
found so in some professional writings, where a considerable conformity to the

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established format or diction is expected

for a text to earn acceptability.
One major weakness of conformity to the established style is that it clips
creativity. But the moment a text accommodates or injects some creativity in the
style, it becomes marked as deviation from the norm.
Style as Period or Time
Style may also relate to time/period. This is so because language is dynamic –
it is always changing. This becomes obvious when we look at the stages in the
development of the English language e.g. Old English, Middle English and Modern
English. When we look at a script in Old English now, it will seem as if it were written
in a different language because of the differences in syntax, vocabulary, spelling, etc.
Even within the so-called Modern English, there are variations. The type of English
we use today is different from Shakespearean English in many ways. So, since
language changes along time axis, style is also expected to vary along the same axis.
The study of language along time axis is termed diachronic linguistics. You may
compare diachronic linguistics with synchronic linguistics which deals with the study
of language at a particular time/period.
The style of any given period has recognisably predominant features that
make such a period distinct. A period usually dictates the style employed by the
writers. For example, Shakespeare and his contemporaries used a particular style of
writing i.e. writing in verses. It was not until Herrick Ibsen came up with plays in the
prose form that the previous style was abandoned.
Similarly, the Victorian, Elizabethan, Renaissance and even the modern
periods all have peculiar styles different from another. In a nutshell, the noticeable
convention and pattern of language use that inform the urge of a particular period,
make the style of that period.
Style as Situation
Usually, language is used according to situation or circumstance. It is the
context that determines language choice in speaking or writing. Certain words are
appropriate for certain occasions, while some are considered taboo, vulgar or
abominable. For example, a Professor, in a scholarly conference, cannot indulge in a
vulgarism like: “that theory is fucking up”. Consequently, a given situation has a great
influence on the choice made at every level of language description. The concept of

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register further buttresses this point. For

example, registers as aspect of style tend to be associated with particular groups of
people or sometimes specific situations of use (Journalese, Legalese, Liturgese,
Babytalk, the language of Sport Commentaries), the language of criminals –argot, the
languages of the courtroom, the classroom, etc). We shall say more about register,
later in this course.

APPLICATION

Direction: Answer the following in another sheet of paper. (Answers either written
or enconded is acceptable).

1. What do you understand by style?

2. Discuss the concept of stylistics in its broad sense.
3. Explain each of the following:
a. Style as choice
b. Style as the man
c. Style as deviation
d. Style as conformity
e. Style as time/period
f. Style as situation.

CLOSURE

CONGRATULATIONS for finishing the task! I know you are ready for the next lesson.
Good job!

Stylistics and Discourse

Analysis