Seminar 2
Stylistic Differentiation of the English Vocabulary: Neutral, Literary, Colloquial Layers. Phonetic
Expressive Means and Stylistic Devices Topics for discussion
1. Neutral Layer
Words in this layer are stylistically neutral and used in everyday speech, writing, and formal
contexts.
a. Terms – words used in specific fields or sciences.
Examples: molecule, algorithm, inflation, chromosome, syntax, isotope
b. Nomenclature Words – names of objects, institutions, positions.
Examples: president, hospital, bridge, airport, professor, library
c. Historical Words – words denoting things no longer used but known.
Examples: knight, serf, musket, corset, feudalism, monarchy
d. Exotic Words – borrowed from other cultures, often retain original flavor.
Examples: kimono (Japan), fjord (Norway), pizza (Italy), bungalow (India), sombrero (Spain), sushi
(Japan)
e. Lexical Neologisms – newly coined words or phrases.
Examples: binge-watch, selfie, blog, crowdfunding, glamping, emoji
Neutral shading: this style is characterised by a complete absence of narratorial modality and is typified by
categorical assertions where the narrator withholds subjective evaluation and interpretation. This type of
shading often comprises ‘neutral’ physical description at the expense of psychological development.
Neutral shading embodies the principle of ‘objective realism’ in fiction and it corresponds to what the
narratologists Genette (1980) and Rimmon-Kenan (1983) have called ‘external’ focalisation. Given the often
sparse feel this mode engenders, narratives written entirely in a neutrally shaded modality are rare.
2. Literary Layer
Used mainly in writing and elevated styles of speech.
a. Common Literary Words – formal vocabulary typical for literature or public speaking.
Examples: commence, terminate, inquire, perceive, respond, endeavor
b. Poetic Words – used in poetry, often archaic or metaphorical.
Examples: thee, thou, ere, yonder, maiden, morn
c. Archaic Words – outdated words no longer in common use.
Examples: betwixt, thither, dost, hither, whence, maketh
d. Barbarisms / Foreign Words – used without translation, often to add color or prestige.
Examples: déjà vu (Fr), prima donna (It), coup d'état (Fr), alma mater (Lat), rendezvous (Fr), faux
pas (Fr)
e. Stylistic Neologisms – new words/expressions created for artistic effect.
Examples: truthiness (Stephen Colbert), unputdownable (describing a book), friendzone, mansplain,
greentailing, gigafire
3. Colloquial Layer
Informal speech, used in everyday conversation.
a. Common Colloquial Words – informal, but not slang.
Examples: guy, kid, pal, job, bucks (money), hang out
b. Slang – very informal, often expressive and playful.
Examples: cool, chill, lit, flex, fam, vibe
c. Jargonisms – specific to professional or interest groups.
Examples: bug (IT), loop (programming), leverage (finance), pitch (marketing), spam (IT), viral
(media)
d. Professional Words – terms used within a profession.
Examples: deposition (law), biopsy (medicine), lens (photography), render (architecture), merger
(business), syntax (linguistics)
e. Dialectical Words – regional variants of standard language.
Examples: bairn (child, Scotland), y’all (you all, Southern US), aye (yes, Northern UK), lad/lass,
wee (small), ken (know)
f. Vulgar Words – offensive or taboo language.
Examples: damn, hell, crap, bastard, piss, bloody (UK slang)
4. Phonetic Expressive Means (EM) and Stylistic Devices (SD): General
Characteristics
These are sound-based tools used to create expressive effects in speech and writing. They add
musicality, rhythm, or emotional charge.
They include repetition, unusual sounds, or deliberate choices of sound pattern.
Often found in poetry, advertisements, and oratory.
5. Onomatopoeia
Words that imitate natural sounds.
Examples: buzz, hiss, bang, splash, cuckoo, meow
6. Alliteration
Repetition of initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words.
Examples:
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Big brown bear bit a bold boy.
She sells sea shells by the seashore.
Wild winds whipped wildly.
Bright blue butterflies basked.
Fearful faces fell fast.
7. Rhyme
Repetition of identical or similar sounds at the ends of words, especially at the end of lines in
poetry.
Examples:
cat – hat
light – night
fear – near
love – dove
sing – king
sky – high
8. Rhythm
The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry or speech.
Types of rhythm (based on foot):
Iambic: be-LIEVE, the SUN
Trochaic: TA-ble, TIG-er
Anapestic: in-ter-VENE, in the NIGHT
Dactylic: EL-e-phant, HAP-pi-ly
Example:
The sun | went down | behind | the hill. (iambic)
