LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 14:10 October 2014
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Aspects of Stylistics

Dr. S. R. Chaitra

Abstract

This paper discusses the definition and scope of stylistics. Stylistics is approached as the study of language used by authors. Some dictionary definitions are listed and discussed. It is shown that stylistics is a combination of linguistics and literary studies. Stylistics is seen as a part of the interacting zone between language and creativity. Manner of linguistic expressions, literary criticism, relationship between stylistics and social functions, and use of nonverbal communication as a part of stylistics are suggested in this paper.

Key words: Stylistics, literary expressions, linguistic expressions, social functions, nonverbal communication.

Study of Language Used by Authors

Stylistics is a branch of Linguistics that scrutinizes the intrinsic beauty of language used by the authors. It persuades us to investigate the various language features systematically. It determines the role of linguistics in literary interpretation. According to Halliday, “We can define linguistic stylistics as the description of literary texts, by methods derived from general linguistic theory, using the categories of the description of the language as a whole; and the comparison of each text with others, by the same and by different authors in the same and in different genres.” Hence there is a strong link between the textual context and the linguistic frame. Dr. Radhey. L. Varshney says, “The relationship between linguistics and literature is like that of the hammer and the anvil” (1977).

Dictionary Definitions

In viewing style in general terms, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2005) defines stylistics in the seventh edition as the study of style and the methods used in written language. Macmillan English Dictionary for advanced learners (2002) defines stylistics as the study of style especially in language and literature. The Chambers Dictionary (2001) defines stylistics as the science of the variations in language, including the effective values of different words, forms and sounds that constitute style in the literary and also the wider sense. It defines ‘Style’ as the manner of writing, mode of expressing thought in language or of expression, execution, action or bearing generally; a literary composition; the distinctive manner peculiar to an author or other. Hence style is ‘manner of writing speaking or doing; collective characteristics of the writing or diction or artistic expression… proper to a person or school or period or subject; and noticeably superior quality or manner’ (Oxford Dictionary). Subsequently the notion of style depends on the perspective of the observer of the author’s individual choice and talent.

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Dr. S. R. Chaitra
Assistant Professor in English
Maharaja’s College
University of Mysore
Mysore
Karnataka
India
chaitrasr@gmail.com
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