正式文体与非正式文体

1、正式文体与非正式文体,l) Hi，Peter. Fancy meeting you here. (2) Good morning, Mr.Brown. How are you,书面语也有正式书面语体和非正式书面语体之分。假如在一封非常正式的信中写道:It was extremely gracious of you to have invited me to the reception，and I had bags of fun there. 那么就会令人啼笑皆非，因为extremely gracious 听起是那样的正式、 严肃，而 bags of fun 却显得那样的随便、轻浮; 二者并不属

2、同一文体，自然不是好的英文句子,谈到英语的正式文体 (the formal style)与非正式文体 (the informal style)，人们自然会提及Martin Joos写的一本名叫The Five Clocks的专著。这本书于1962年出版，至今仍被认为是研究英语文体的必读书。其原因是作者在这本书中提出了英语的五种 使用变体，并形象地把它们喻为五只钟。这五种 使用变体是,一)庄严的文体(the Frozen Style; 也有人译作冷冻体)。这是一种非常雅致、庄重的文体，是经过反复推敲的力作，读者必须经过反复琢磨方能领悟蕴藏在词句之中的层层含义。领悟的过程是个解冻的过程，所以Mar

3、tin Joos使用了frozen这个词来概括这种文体,一般认为，Martin Joos说的 the Frozen Style 指的是正式的、优雅的文学文体。如果予以引申，这种文体主要用于具有象征性和历史意义的场合，如法律条款、历史文献、议会及重大的国际会议文件等,二)正式的文体 (the Formal Style)。这种文体一般用于较重要的场合和较严肃的主题。它是专门用来提供信息的，其代码标志是may这个词。Martin Joos认为，凡用了may就是正式体，如 May I help you? 而在非正式场合下可能会用might或 can等同义词,三)商议性的文体(the Consultat

4、ive Style)。这是一种“日常办事语言”(everyday getting-things-done language)。日常工作交往、在商店购物、旅游等场合均使甩这种文体。Martin Joos把同陌生人攀谈所使用的英语看作是这种文体的典型表现形式,四)随意的文体(the Casual style)。这种文体多用于朋友之间的闲谈 (relaxed conversations)及书信往来。不拘礼节的一般性互访或与朋友偶遇街头时，均可使用这种文体,五)亲密的文体(the Intimate Style)。这种文体只用来表露内心的感情，不传递公共信息。家庭成员或亲爱者之间常甩这种文体,管Mart

5、in Joos的看法还不一定全面，但上面的文体分类方法至少为我们提供了一个讨论的基础。 我们不妨把 “庄严的文体”与 “正式的文体”统称作正式文体，而把 “商议的文体”、 “随意的文体”和“亲密的文体”统称作非正式文体。 对于初学者来说，最重要的是掌握正式文体与非正式文体在语言特征上的主要差异,先看用词。正式文体常使用正式用语 (formal words); 非正式文体则常使用非正式用语 (informal words)。这两类不同的用语是在长期的使用过程中被约定俗成地固定下来的。许多词典对此都作出了标记。试比较,INFORMAL FORMAL leave depart scared appr

6、ehensive blow up explode quit resign cut down reduce job position fire dismiss tired fatigued flunk fail,一般说来， 源于法语、 拉丁语、希腊语的词语多用于正式文体 ; 源于古英语的词语则多用于非正式文体。试比较,1) The concert concluded with a performance of Beethovens 5th symphony. (2) They ended the concert with Beethovens 5th symphony. (3) The poli

7、ce are investigating the case of murder. (4) The police are looking into the case of murder,Take part in Participate in anticipate Partake,句(1)中的conclude源于拉丁语， 常用于正式文体; 句(2)的 end 是古英语词汇成分， 用于非正式文体。 句(3) 的 investigate 源于拉丁语，属正式文体用语; 句(4)中的 1ook into 是古英语词汇成分， 属非正式文体用语,现代英语中的缩略词(clipped words) 及缩约词 (c

8、ontractions) 多用于非正式文体; 其相应的非缩略或非缩约形式则常出现在正式文体中,INFORMAL FORMAL INFORMAL FORMAL ad advertisement shouldnt should not phone telephone cant cannot photo photograph wont will not TV television theres there is sub substitute dont do not lab laboratory its it is paper newspaper Ive I have rep representati

9、ve theyre they are,phone He said, “Im a teacher.,由于缩略词常用于非正式文体中，所以在不同的使用范围内，一个缩略词可能有几个不同的含义，如 rep 还可指 reporter，reputation，repertory等; sub 还可指 subway，suburb，suburban，sub-editor， submarine 等,非正式文体较多地使用短语动词; 正式文体则常用与之同义的单个动词。 试比较,INFORMAL: The criminals finally turned themselves in. FORMAL: The crimina

10、ls finally surrendered. INFORMAL: I cant put up with your bad manners. FORMAL: I cannot tolerate your bad manners. INFORMAL: He tried to make good use of his abilities in the new job. FORMAL: He endeavoured to utilize his abilities in the new position,从语法角度来看， 正式文体与非正式文体也有许多差异。这里仅扼要列举几点,一)在构成比较句型时，使

11、用人称代词的主格形式比使用其宾格形 式更显得正式些 ， INFORMAL: Bill speaks French more fluently than me. FORMAL : Bill speaks French more fluently than I,二)在表达“让步”概念时，正式文体常使用yet, however， nevertheless, in spite of (despite), notwithstanding 等词语; 非正式文体则常借用 but, anyway，all the same, though, although(although 比 though 更显正式些) 等

12、词语予以表达,INFORMAL: A wolf，after all，is a wolf though it has artful disguises. FORMAL: A wolf after all, is a wolf in spite of (despite) its artful disguises. INFORMAL: He tried to prevent the marriage but it took place all the same. FORMA L: He endeavoured to prevent the marriage; however, they marrie

13、d notwithstanding,三) 在构成 “方式状语” 时， 非正式文体常使用副词; 而正式文体则常借用由介词和与该副词同根的词构成的介词短语,INFORMAL: He spoke confidently. FORMAI: He spoke in a confident manner. FORMAL : He spoke with confidence,四 )在表达 “原因”、“后果” 等概念时，正式文体常用 on account of, accordingly, thus, hence, consequently, owing to (the fact that) 等词或词组，且比较

14、经常地运用分词短语、独立主格结构等; 非正式文体则常用 so，because 或其它形式的表示原因的从句。 试比较,INFORMAL: Since the weather had improved, we decided to go swimming. FORMAL: The weather having improved, we decided to go swimming. INFORMAL: As he was a man affixed views, he refused to listen to our arguments. FORMAL: Being a man affixed v

15、iews, he refused to listen to our arguments,五) 在构成表示 目的 的状语时，用 so as to 一般具有非正式文体色彩 ; 用 in order to 则显得正式些; 而用 in order that 引导的目的状语从句则常出现于正式文体中,INFORMAL: He left early so as not to miss the train. FORMAL: He left early in order not to miss the train. FORMAL: He left early in order that he would not

16、 miss the train,六)在构成问句时，正式文体常用完整的形式;非正式文体则可用省略形式，也可用陈述句形式 (这时需借用语调或标点符号);以疑问代词主格开头的问句多见于正式文体，以疑问代词宾格开头的问句多见于非正式文体;问句中的介词置于句首时是正式文体，置于句末时是非正式文体。如,FORMAL: When are you going to do it? INFORMAL: When? FORMAL: Whom are you talking about? INFORMAL: Who are you talking about? FORMAL: With what did you wr

17、ite it? INFORMAL: What did you write it with,七)在表示虚拟语气时，正式文体与非正式文体的差异十分明显。试比较: INFORMAL: If he was my friend, I would ask him for help. FORMAL: If he were my friend, I would ask him for help. INFORMAL: If it was to rain tomorrow, I would not go there. FORMAL: If it were to rain tomorrow, I should no

18、t go there. INFORMAL: I wish I was ten years younger,FORMAL: I wish I were ten years younger. INFORMAL: If I had known, I would have told you earlier. FORMAL: Had I known before, I would have told you earlier. INFORMAL: He looks as if he was (is) ill. FORMAL: He looks as if he were ill,八) 由引导词 it 起始

19、的句子 (如 it is said that ) 多见于正式文体; 不用这一结构而表达同一意义的句子多见于非正式文体: INFFORMAL: The number of books in the library has been going down. FORMAL: It has been noted with concern that the stock of books in the library has been declining alarmingly,九) 在表达 “请求某人做某事” 时， 使用被动语态句式多具有正式文体色彩; 使用主动语态句式则具有非正式文体色彩. 如: INF

20、ORMAL: Please gather at the gate of the school. FORMAL: The students are requested to gather at the gate of the schoo1,十)正式文体和非正式文体的差别还表现在某些不定代词的用法、 动名词的复合结构及句子的主谓一致等方面。 例如 ， INFORMAL: Everybody should look after themselves. FORMAL: Everybody should look after himself. INFORMAL: Everyone should do t

21、heir best,INFORMAL: Everyone should do their best. FORMAL: Everyone should do his best. INFORMAL: Im surprised at John(him ) making the mistake. FORMAL: Im surprised at John (his) making the mistake. INFORMAL: Theres two patients waiting outside. FORMAL: Two patients are waiting outside,十一)简洁是现代英语的发

22、展趋势之一。但一般说来，省略关系代词、连词、介词等情况多见于非正式文体。如: INFORMAL: I took no notice of him so he flew into a rage. FORMAL: I took no notice of him so that he flew into a rage,INFORMAL: She cooks turkey the way her sister does. FORMAL: She cooks turkey in the way her sister does. INFORMAL: He prevented me going to the

23、 dance. FORMAL: He prevented me from going to the dance,十二)使用呼语(vocatives)时，在对方的姓名前加Mr 或 Miss等称呼时属正式文体，直呼其名则属非正式文体;见面时用 Good morning (afternoon, evening)，How are you? How do you do? 等用语要比用 Hi 显得正式些。告别时，用Its been nice meeting you 要比用 Good-bye，bye-bye，see you，so long，cheerio等显得正式些,正式文体与非正式文体在语言特征方面的差异

24、远不止这些。了解它们之间的差异对我们准确、恰当地运用英语是大有稗益的。公共场所常有请勿随地吐痰的告示，假如译为:Expectoration Is Forbidden!，那么不仅会使人感到难懂，而且其书生气息往往会令人发笑;倘若译作Please dont spit!，那就显得简洁易懂，十分得体。这里，我们不妨引用两个内容相同但文体色彩不同的通知，供读者进行比较,Smoking is hazardous to health,Announcement from the Librarian,1) It has been noted with concern that the stock of book

25、s in the library has been declining alarmingly. Students are requested to remind themselves of the rules for the borrowing and re-turning of books, and to bear in mind the needs of other students. Penalties for overdue books will in the future be strictly enforced,2) The number of books in the libra

26、ry has been going down. Please make sure you know the rules for borrowing, and dont forget that the library is for everyones convenience. So from now on, were going to enforce the rules strictly. You have been warned,需要指出的是， 我们不该甩绝对的、 静止的观点去分析正式文体与非正式文体的语言特征。它们之间的语言差异是在特定的使用场合下相 比较而存在的。 所谓 “正式” 或 “非

27、正式” 的程度也是相比较而言的。 在它们之间存在着一个“正式” 或 “非正式”的等级 (a scale of formality or informality)。以用词为例 : astute（敏锐、精明） ，perceptive（灵敏的、反应敏锐的、有洞察力的），intelligent，smart，on the ball（机警的、机灵的）是具有不同文体色彩的同义词 (语)其 正式与非正式的程度可表如下,FORMALITY INFORMALITY _ ASTUTE PERCEPTIVE INTELLIGENT SMART ON THE BALL,如果我们以intelligent为基准，那么 as

28、tute 与 perceptive 当属正式文体用语; smart 与 on the ball 则具有非正式文体色彩。但仔细分析一下，我们就会发现: 与astute 相比，perceptive 又显得不那么正式; smart显然比on the ball正式些，但与intelligent相比，smart则又显得不那么正式。 所以我们说，正式文体与非正式文体在选择语言成分方面所存在的差异是相对而言的,还应该注意的是，用在正式文体的语言成分与用在非正式文体中的语言成分并无“优”、“劣”之分。 例如，在表达“疲劳”这个概念时，我们不能说使用 fatigued 或 exhausted 优于使用 tire

29、d 这个词; 也不能说用bushed （美口：疲劳不堪的）或pooped （俚语： 疲乏的、筋疲力尽的 ）劣于 tired 这个词。一切需看使用的场合。Worn out,在正式文体中用 fatigued 或 exhausled; 与亲密的朋友闲谈时则可使用 bushed 或 pooped; 一般场合下则惯用 tired 一词。做到这点，就算得体，否则就不算得体,在以上的讨论中，我们强调了一点，即正式文体与非正式文体是由交际场合决定的。除去交际场合这一因素之外，正式文体与非正式文体的运用还受其它因素支配，其中包括交际双方的社会身份、交际的内容、交际双方的心理活动等,从交际双方的社会身份来看，长辈

30、对晚辈说话时常使甩随意的、非正式文体;晚辈对长辈说话则常使甩客气的、正式的文体。下列两句中旬 (1)是出自长辈之口;句 (2)则是晚辈对长辈说的， (l) Close the window，Peter. (2) Dad, could you possibly close the window,社会地位低的人若请求社会地位高的人做某事，往往使用正式的、客气的文体，如: I shall be most grateful if you would do me a favour,I wonder if you can help me. I wondered if you could help me.

31、I am wondering if you can help me. I was wondering if you could help me. She is nice. She being nice today,交际双方如果不熟悉，往往在开始接触时使用正式文体;双方若很熟悉，则使用非正式文体，试比较下面两个对话,1) A: Eh, can you beat that? (=Can you pass the examination?) B: I read my eyes out last night. Couldnt pass that stupid bioexam. A: Oh, yeah,

32、 but that Davison. Hes a real jerk. B: You know, Id bet he gets his tests from old Ph. D. exam. Wouldnt put it past him. A: Got to go. B: Catch you later. A: Right. See you back at the dorm. So long,2) (At the Labour Exchange) Clerk: Mr. Roberts, wont you sit down, please? Roberts: Thank you very mu

33、ch. Clerk: I see that you were a manager for the Overton Paper Products Company. Roberts : Yes, I was. For seven years. Clerk: Werent you happy there? Roberts: Oh yes. But I thought that I couldnt really develop further in the job,对话 (1) 中的 A 和 B 是同学，彼此十分熟识，谈话很随便; 对话 (2) 中的 Clerk 与 Roberts 初次见面，使用的语

34、言就正式些,从交际内容上看， 具有政治性、历史性、 宗教性或专业性的内容，一般需用正式文体予以表现。内容是生活性的或协商性的，一般都使用非正式文体。 所以宗教界使用的英语、 法律文件、 科技文献等常具有正式文体的色彩。 口 语中， 话题若是比较严肃的或具有较高的专业性，那么所使用的语言也正式些。 下面是美国著名语言学家 Noam Chomsky 与哲学家 Stuart Hampshire 的一段谈话， 所用的语言具有明显的正式文体色彩,Hampshire: Am I right in thinkingyou must correct me if Im wrongthat your studies of language have led you to the conclusion that there are certain. . . common. . . under-lying structures common to all langu