Сравнительная характеристика формального и неформального стилей в английском языке
учебно-методический материал по английскому языку по теме

Кудимова Екатерина Владимировна

Правила и примеры различных ситуаций использования формального и неформального стилей

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Please read the following notes on formality and politeness:

Formal and Informal Language

Most people speak and write in different ways on different occasions. In some languages, there are very complicated rules about how to speak to older or more important people. English does not have a system of this kind. However, there are some words and structures which are mostly used in formal situations – that is to say, situations, when people are careful about how they express themselves, like report writing, business meetings, conferences or polite conversations with strangers. And some words and structures are mostly used in informal situations – for example, conversations with friends, or letters to one’s family. Writing is more often formal and speech is more often informal, but informal writing and formal speech are used when the situation makes them necessary.

Most words and expressions are neither formal nor informal, but neutral – English speakers do not have to know two ways of saying everything.

Grammar:

Some grammatical structures have different formal and informal versions.

For example, contracted auxiliary verbs and negatives are common in informal speech and writing:

It has gone. It is not possible. (formal)

It’s gone. It isn’t possible. (informal)

Prepositions come at the end of certain structures in informal language:

In which century did he live? (formal)

Which century did he live in? (informal)

Some relative structures are different:

The man whom she married... (formal)

The man she married... (informal)

Some determiners are followed by singular verb forms in formal language, and plural forms in informal language:

Neither of us likes him. (formal)

Neither of us like him. (informal)

Some pronouns have different forms:

It was she who first saw what to do. (formal)

Whom did they elect?

It was her that first saw what to do. (informal)

Who did they elect?

Ellipsis is more common in informal speech:

Have you seen Mr. Andrews? (formal)

We think that it is possible.

Seen John? (informal)

We think it’s possible.

Vocabulary:

Some words and expressions are used mainly in informal situations; in neutral or informal situations other words or expressions are used:

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Repair

Mend (GB)

Fix

Commence

Begin / start

Begin / start

In order

All right

OK

Thank you

Thank you

Thanks

I beg your pardon?

Pardon?/Sorry?

What?

Polite requests and questions:

Formal language is of course used when one wishes to be polite – to show respect to important people or strangers. Requests and questions can be made more polite by making them less direct. A common way of making requests less direct is to use yes/no questions. These suggest that the hearer can choose whether to agree or not.

Could you tell me the time please?

Another way of making requests and questions less direct is to use ‘distancing’ verb forms (e.g., past instead of present):

How much did you want to spend, sir?

Exercises

I. Rewrite these colloquial sentences in a more neutral style (more formal, but not stiffly formal):

1. It’s a lot better to use renewable energy – not fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil.

Renewable energy resources are preferable to fossil fuels, such as coal, gas and oil.

2. How is your Dad? Is he OK again yet?

3. Well, she hit the roof when they broke it to her that she’d got the sack.

4. To grow organic fruit and vegetables they don’t use artificial fertilizer, you know.

5. We were ever so scared when this huge great dog came bounding up to us.

6. For pity’s sake, mind what you’re doing with that knife!

7. There’s no point in testing shampoo and cosmetics on animals – and it’s cruel too.

8. Why on earth didn’t you turn the light off when you left the room?

9. Hey, it looks as if it’s going to rain pretty soon.

10. Don’t throw litter in the street – put it in a bin or something, for goodness sake.

II. Rewrite these sentences in a more neutral, less formal style:

1. It is unwise to bathe here due to possible contamination of the water.

It’s not advisable to go swimming here because the water may be polluted.

2. Meteorologists maintain that the rate of increase in the global warming process is accelerating.

3. It is conceivable that a slight rise in temperature would have a dramatic effect on the ice in polar regions.

4. Discarding cans and bottles leads to excessive consumption of energy and materials. It is preferable to recycle them.

5. The service of luncheon commences at noon.

6. Passengers are requested to exercise caution when alighting from the train.

7. To whom was the recommendation submitted?

8. We regret that the playing of personal stereos and musical instruments is not permitted on the premises.

9. Whilst all vegetarians eschew meat, vegans consume neither fish nor dairy products.

10. It is regrettable that the government is not willing to provide financial support for scientific investigation.


Slang

Slang is a particular kind of colloquial language. It refers to words and expressions which are extremely informal. Although slang is mainly used in speech, it can also be found in the popular press.

It can be risky for someone who is not a native speaker to use slang.

Firstly because some slang expressions may cause offence to some sections of the population. For example, most policemen are quite happy to be referred to as coppers, but are offended by the term pigs. Similarly, you could probably use the word sizzled (meaning drunk) in front of anyone, but using the words pissed or arseholed, which also mean drunk, could upset some people.

Secondly, slang words date very quickly. It can be possible to work out a native speaker’s age from the expressions which they use, as people tend to stick with the slang expressions of their youth.

To sum up, you may find it interesting to learn about slang and you may come across slang expressions (particularly when you are watching films or reading popular newspapers or novels) but you might be well advised to avoid using slang yourself.

Exercises.

I. Replace the underlined slang words with more formal vocabulary. Try to guess or remember as many words as you can. Notice that some of the words have a slang meaning which is different from their everyday meaning.

The newsreader on TV last night seemed to be pissed as he was reading the news.

He is quite a nice bloke actually.

I’ve got a terrible belly ache – I think I need to see a quack.

Her dad was furious when he learnt he had to wear a penguin suit to the wedding.

Can you lend me some dosh till tomorrow?

I know there will be plenty of nosh but do we need to take some booze to the party?

Have you got wheels or shall we call a taxi?

I’m dying for a cuppa. I haven’t had one since breakfast.

Can I use your loo, please?

I was absolutely gobsmacked when she told me she was leaving.

II. Match the statements on the left with the responses to them on the right:

How was the party?

Let’s take him home.

What does that guy over there do?

Sure. I’ll keep my eyes skinned.

He’s getting legless.

He’s in the nick.

Keep a lookout for the pigs.

It’s in a drawer, over there.

Where’s the dough?

He’s a cop.

Where’s her hubby?

Let’s go for a run in the motor.

What’ll we do tomorrow?

Wicked!

III. A particular well-known kind of slang is Cockney rhyming slang where an expression is used in place of something it rhymes with.

For example: trouble and strife = wife; apples and pairs = stairs.

How would you translate the Cockney rhyming slang expressions in the sentences below:

Let’s have a butcher’s at your homework (short for butcher’s hook).

Just look at those Gawd forbids playing football!

It’s on the Cain and Abel next to the phone.

What a set of Hampstead Heath!

She’ll get him to the lean and lurch by hook or by crook.

Have you seen my titfer? (short for tit for tat)


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