Linguistic Stylistics and Literary Stylistics

I) Introduction :

                 Linguistic stylistics and literary stylis are two of the important sub-sects of Stylistics.

Linguistic stylistics refers to the French tendency "Stylistique". On the other hand, literary stylistics is related to the German tendency "Stilforchung". Linguistic Stylistics is linked to Linguistics, while literary Stylistics is connected with literary criticism. Both of these variations (kinds) of stylistics can be discussed in detail as follows.

II) Linguistic Stylistics :

( i ) Meaning, Nature and Scope :

           As its name shows, linguistic stylistics is based on linguistics. It focuses on linguistic features of the text like syntax and phonology. However, its aim is the description of the stylistic features of the text. In other words, linguistic stylistics attempts to express the connection between the text ("Actualized System") and the language as a whole ("Virtual System"). An eminent linguist, M.A.K. Halliday defines linguistic stylistics as follows :

"We can define linguistic stylics as the description of literary texts, by methods, derived from general linguistic theory, using the categories of the description of the language as a whole; and the comparison of each text with other, by the same and by different authors in the same and in different genres."

          The above definition makes it clear that linguistic stylistics provides the stylistian a workable approach to study the language of a literary text. For the linguist, a work of literature is a text which exemplifies part of the language system. The description of the linguistic elements that occur in the work of literature is part of its analysis. Thus, linguistic stylistics (= or linguistic approach to style) consists in the observation and investigation of the language of the literary text. The linguistic stylistician studies the language of the text at various levels. Such levels include phonemic, lexical, syntactic and semantic levels. The linguistic stylistian explains the linguistic peculiarities with reference to standard linguistic description. He studies complex uses of language like deviations. He concentrates on the linguistic features which are unique to the text and those which it shares with others. This linguistic knowledge helps him to comment on the language of the text. As a result, the linguistic stylistian makes an objective analysis of literary language without referring to anything outside the text. Thus, linguistic stylistics tries to make literary criticism as objective as possible.

          In this way, linguistic stylistics has its own significance in stylistic analysis of a literary piece. Roger Fowler has called it "new stylistics". According to him, linguistic stylistics has provided a firm technical base for the study of style.

(ii) Limitations :

          Linguistic stylistics is a proper and significant approach to the study of style. However, it does not on its own, lead to interpretation. It does not enhance literary understanding. It may not be enough to describe, for example, active-voice and passive voice constructions in a play or poem. On the contrary, we must be able to relate our description to its artistic use and signifi-cance. In Style in Fiction, Leech and Short observe :

"If a text is regarded in objectivity simplicity as a sequence of symbols on paper, then the modern linguist's scrutini is not just a matter of looking "at" the text but of looking "through" the text to its significance".

          Thus, a pure linguistic approach which does not go beyond formal analysis misses the very thing "style". Style, which is the central thing, tends to escape from the study.

III) Literary Stylistics :

(i) Meaning, Nature and Scope :

          Literary stylistics is the kind of stylistics which was advocated by Spitzer and his follow-ers. As its name shows, this approach to style is more literary than linguistic. It is based on philosophical idealism. It aims to relate the critics's concern of aesthetic appreciation with the linguist's concern of linguistic description. From the linguist's angle, it is "why does the author here choose to express himself in a particular way?" From the critic's point of view, it is "how is such-and-such aesthetic effect achieved tprugh language?"

          As it is said earlier, linguistic stylistics requires technical knowledge of linguistics. Simi-larly, it does not lead to interpretation. It is strictly objective approach to style. On the other side, there is literary criticism. It deals with stylistic matters in an unsystematic way. It is also mostly subjective. So, an effective study of style must lie somewhere between these two approaches - linguistic and critical ones. A true study of style must not be a mere catalogue of linguistic features. It should be directed to the understanding of a literary work. It should treat a work of literature as an artefact and not merely as a text. Such kind of style-study is known as "literary stylistics."

           In literary stylistics, the linguist reads the text closely. He pays attention to the features of language used in it. When he has obtained the detailed account of these features, he co-relates them with the interpretation of the text. This is to say that the linguist tries to link "What is said" with "How it is said".

          Literary Stylistic involves close examination of verbal texture. It begins with the language of the text (say for example of a poem), and then arrives at the comprehension o fits form and meaning. It also expresses the, appreciation of the artist's (eg a poet) artistic achievement.

          Here, knowledge of linguistics is part of the mechanism of the study of the linguist. His methods are not restricted like those of a theoretical linguist. On the contrary, they are more expensive procedures like of those who treat literature as an art form.

            Linguists are concerned with the establishment of a general system of language. They arrive at stylistic possibilities through their study of the system. The main point of their system is the setting up of a norm against which stylistic deviations could be measured. Literary Stylistics is not concerned with setting up a norm or method. It is directed towards discovering the aesthetic principle lying behind a stylistic peculiarity. In Style in Fiction, Leech and Short observes :

"Literary Stylistics is typically concerned with explaining the relation between style and literary or aesthetic function".

          In this way, literary stylistics is the study of the relation between linguistic form and literary function.

          One more important quality of literary stylistics is that it aims at objectivity. Not only this but it is said that its purpose is a scientific knowledge of literature.

(ii) Scope: 

           Literary Stylistics has very wide scope. It covers almost all - from the study of individual works and individual authors to the period style and the history of style. The stylistician always concentrates upon important means of expression. He reveals the 'soul' of the literary work. Every stylistic peculiarity which is genuinely prominent can serve as a key to his artistic purpose. He observes imagery, wit, humour, repetition, rhythm, metaphor, symbols and many stylistic devices like these. It also deals with the study of narrative, the use of the point of view of the characters, interior monologue and such features in the study of fiction. All of these tea-tures do not remain only a catalogue of linguistic features but are directed to the understanding of a work of art.

IV) Conclusion: 

            Thus, linguistic stylistics and literary stylistics are notable kinds of Stylistics.

They have contributed much to the study of literature.