2.11 Style and Connotation
Instrucción: Click on the card and slide it to the left to read the information.
Style is usually associated with the formality or informality of words. Formal language is more commonly related to a written means of communication, while informal language is more commonly linked to spoken contexts. However, the level of formality depends on the situation as a whole (participants, intention, place, etc.), and not only on the means it is being used to communicate.
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People choose the words they use depending on the most appropriate style to the situation in which they find themselves. Nonetheless, formality is not the only aspect to consider. People also make choices in terms of the words they use depending on their place of origin, which is known as a variety of the language. Another aspect to be taken into account is register, another variety of the language when used in specific contexts, such as legal, academic, or technical English.
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Style is usually associated with the formality or informality of words. Formal language is more commonly related to a written means of communication, while informal language is more commonly linked to spoken contexts. However, the level of formality depends on the situation as a whole (participants, intention, place, etc.), and not only on the means it is being used to communicate.
People choose the words they use depending on the most appropriate style to the situation in which they find themselves. Nonetheless, formality is not the only aspect to consider. People also make choices in terms of the words they use depending on their place of origin, which is known as a variety of the language. Another aspect to be taken into account is register, another variety of the language when used in specific contexts, such as legal, academic, or technical English.
Yet, one more aspect to consider is connotation. There are words with similar meanings (synonyms) that may trigger different connotations, in general classified into positive and negative. Moreover, one must be aware of the different connotations that a word may have in a given situation in order to avoid misunderstandings and communicate successfully.
Whether it is a written or spoken means, it is important to make the appropriate word choices when using the language. Otherwise, what you intend to communicate may be awkward, inappropriate, not completely understood, or even totally misunderstood.
Stop and think
Stop and think - Have you ever been told that you speak in a bookish way?
- Why would someone say something like this about anyone’s way of speaking?
LAS Activity 213. Style and connotation
Instructions
- Read the following letter and identify the words or expressions that do not belong to this kind of context. Why are they not appropriate?
- Rewrite the letter in an appropriate style.
- Once you finish your version, save it as PDF and you'll be able to check the "original” one. Do you agree with the changes in the original version? Keep in mind that the "original" version will be merely a suggestion, and thus you may have included other changes that also work in terms of style for the context of the letter.
26 May 1997
Dear Ms Denton
Thanks for your letter of 24 May. As I am sure you will appreciate, I am most upset to learn that you were unable to locate my suitcase.
As I pointed out in my origin letter, the suitcase contained a lot of documents that I need for my job. I have had to get in touch with my publishers to get hold of copies of documents that your airline mislaid. Naturally, I will complete the Claim Form, but it is not easy to guess the value of the documents. About half of them are irreplaceable.
I trust that in the meantime you continue to look for my case. Should you find it, please contact me straight away.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Love,
James Burke
(adapted from Soars, J and L. 1989 Headway Advanced. Student’s Book. Oxford: OUP, p. 114)