LANGUAGE STYLE

1. Language style in sociolinguistics

Language style is defined as the choice of words used by a specific group of people when
speak in a place and in one condition. Language Style is pivotal of construct in the study of
sociolinguistics variation

2. Language Variation

Everyone speaks at least one language, and probably most people in the world speak more
than one. Even Americans, most of whom speak only English, usually know more than one
dialect. Certainly no one talks exactly the same way at all times. The language variation exist
because of the use of single language which is different within a single community, such as men
do not speak like women, and older people do not speak like younger people.

a) Dialect

Dialect means the language variation that comes from a group of users that are relative in
numbers, living in one particular place, region or area. Pronunciation and vocabulary
differences probably are the easiest differences that people aware of between different dialects
of English

b) Accent

In sociolinguistics, an accent is a way of pronouncing a language. It is a manner of

pronunciation peculiar to a particular individual, location, or nation. An accent may identify the
locality in which its speakers, the socio-economic status of its speakers, their ethnicity, their
caste or social class,their first language (when speaking a second language imperfectly), and so
on.

c) Register

Different professional and different group may develop distinctive vocabularies. Ferguson in
Wardhaugh, (2005:51) says that people participating in recurrent communication situations
tend to develop similar vocabularies, similar features of intonation, and characteristic bits of
syntax and phonology that they use in this situation.

d) Jargon

Jargon implies the use of specific words. Jargon, however, refers to the specialized
vocabulary characterizing the language use of various groups of people, often occupational or
recreational groups (e.g. the medical jargon or the law/legal jargon).

e) Slang
 It refers to the non-standard words that are known and used by a certain group of people,
for example a group of teenagers, a group of college students, a group of jazz players, etc
(Widarso, 1989:63). Since every group has its own slang words there are many kinds of slang
that can be found. Slang is usually created arbitrarily, for example the word “money”.

Another way to describe language is in terms of the four basic language skills: listening,
speaking, reading, and writing. In your teaching, you will need to address each of these skills.

3. Style

Style is more related with the situations than with the speakers themselves. Ceremonial
occasions require very formal speech, public lectures somewhat less formal, casual
conversation quite informal, and conversation between friends may be extremely informal and
casual.

a.Language Style

Language is not simply a means of communicating information about a subject, but it is also
a very important means of establishing and maintaining relationships with other people

b.Kinds of Language Style

The researcher uses the same of Sociolinguistic theory purposed Martin Joss claims (1976:
153-155) that which is discusses five style of language: frozen style, a formal style, a
consultative style, a casual style, and intimate style. The explanations of those styles are
follows:

- Frozen Style (Oratorical Style)

It is the most formal style used in formal situations and ceremonies such as in palace,
church, speech of state ceremony, and some other occasions such as in palace, church, speech
of state ceremony, and some other occasions. This style is more elaborated than the other
styles. The sequences of the sentence are complicatedly related this style requires high skill and
almost used exclusively by specialist, professional orators, lawyers, and preachers.

Example: Stated in the Introduction Fundamental constitution 1945. “sesungguhnya

kemerdekaan itu adalah hak segala bangsa. Dan oleh sebab itu maka penjajahan di atas dunia
harus dihapuskan karena tidak sesuai dengan prikemanusiaan dan prikeadilan” (actually an
independence is the right for every nation, and because 2of that the colonization in the earth
has to be abolished because it doesn’t conform with the humanity and justice).

- Formal Style (Deliberative Style)

Formal style is defined as the style of language that used for important or serious situation.
It is also used in addressing audience usually that is too large or permit effective interchange
between speaker and hearers. Through the forms are normally and not a polished as those in
oratorical style such in a typical classroom lecture is often carry out is formal style. Formal style
is usually a single topic oriented and it is related to the fact, that formal writing is technical.
Formal style used in school by students, teacher, lecturer, headmaster.

Example:

1. Mr. Muji: Do you want to learn this course?

Wahid: Yes Sir, I want to learn it.

2. Mrs. Elis, would you like to have a sit first before you deliver your speech?

3. If Mr. Firzi would be so kind ask to let me finish my words.

4. Well, it is rather difficult to say at this point.

5. I would like to introduce myself to you.

- Consultative Style

Consultative style is style that which used in semiformal communication situation. It is one
type of language which is required3from everyday speaker. Consultative style is typically
dialogue, though formal enough that words are chosen with some business, translation, doctor-
patient conversation, a meeting with the school principal, or any first meeting between
strangers. The typically of consultative style speech is used between two persons. While one
speaking at intervals the others give short responses, mostly drawn from a small inventory
standard signals. There are basic part of the system, among them are “Yes, No, Huh, Mm, That’s
right “.

- Casual Style

Casual style is a style that is used for the conversation is relaxed or normal situation that is
appropriate to the conversation with our friends or sometimes members of a family, such as
outside the classroom, when the students have a chat. Casual style is also characterized by the
use of the first name or even nickname rather than a little name and last name in addressing
one another. The pronunciation is rapid and often slurred, besides that use of slang. Another
characterized feature is casual speech is the omissions of unstressed words, particularly at the
beginning of sentence.

Example:

1. Don’t get up!

2. Anybody home?

3. Hello guys, are you okay?

4. Give me some35. Take it.

- Intimate Style
 Intimate style is a completely private language developed within families, lovers and close
friends. The intimate labels are: dear, darling, honey and even Mom, Dad, and other nicknames
might use in this situation. Intimate style is also characterized by ellipsis, deletion, rapid,
slurred, pronunciation, non-verbal communication and private code characterized, it is often
unintelligible smallest social units.

Example:

1. Cornelius : Hey darling, how are you?

Lisa : Oh baby, kiss me!

2. Really sexy my girl.

3. What is it, honey?

c. Function of Language Style

According by Chaika (1982:29) states the language style functions are to convey social or
artistic effect. It means that language style can be very important factor in group identification,
group solidarity and the signaling of differences, and when a group is under attack from
outside, signal of difference may become more important and are exaggerated. While Badiah
(in Hidayat, 2004:11) defines the functions of language stye as follows4

1. To increase the Audience’s taste.

Using the stylish language can raise .the audience’s thought toward what is being said the
actor, in this case, the actor it will increase the public’s opinion about what has been written or
said, what it means, purposes, need, and wants.

2. To persuade the reader.

The functions of language style also can make the audience’s sure of what the audience’s or
speaker has stated. Generally, the writer or the speaker attracts the reader using the rhetorical
language.

3. To create certain mood.

The language style that is used by the actors can influence the audiences feeling and
thinking. Thus, how the actors use the language style in their advertisement will create certain
mood.