Formal Language and Diction

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PART IIIFORMAL LANGUAGE, DICTION ANDSTYLE


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Formal Language-

The use of formal language is essential intechnical communication.

Formal language refers to the use of formalwords, scientific vocabulary, specialisedterminology and formal phrases and

expression


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In every field of science and technology,

there are specific terms and phrases.

The jargons (words or expressions used by aparticular group or profession) can be used

as they are accurate and indispensable toolsof communication.


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How to write formal language?

Use formal words


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Formal Neutral Slang

Fortuitous fortunate luckyContemplate consider chew on

Copious many gobs

Reiterate repeat dittoElucidate explain draw you

a picture


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Formal Neutral Slang

Dialogue conversation rap

Recalcitrant stubborn mule headed

Disconcerting upsetting a downer


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Avoid colloquial and informal

words and expressions.


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Colloquialisms are expressions and

grammatical forms used in familiar speechbut are not appropriate in formal writing. E g.Free and easy expressions like hold on,

contractions like were, abbreviations like

para, verb less sentences, omission ofsubjects, especially pronouns areinappropriate in formal language.


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Use appropriate scientific phrases.

Use appropriate technical terms.


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Use standard and formal sentence

structures.

Avoid conversational tone.


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DICTION

ORIGIN

It has been derived from a Latin worddictionemwhich means "a saying,

expression, word.


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PRIMARY MEANING

The word dicton refers to the writer's or

the speaker's distinctive vocabularychoices and style of expression.


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SECONDARY MEANING

A secondary, common meaning of "diction"

is more precisely expressed with the wordenunciation -the art of speaking clearly sothat each word is clearly heard and

understood to its fullest complexity and

extremity.


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Primary Meaning concerns word

choice and style.

Secondary Meaning concernspronunciation and tone.


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It can be safely concluded that

diction refers to: word choice

style

pronunciation

tone


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Martha Kolln, Rhetorical Grammar.

Allyn and Bacon, 1999.

"Diction will be effective only when thewords you choose are appropriate for the

audience and purpose, when they conveyyour message accurately and comfortably.

The idea of comfort may seem out of place inconnection with diction, but, in fact, wordscan sometimes cause the reader to feel

uncomfortable. You've probably experiencedsuch feelings yourself as a listener--hearinga speaker whose words for one reason or

another strike you as inappropriate."
http://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/audiencterm.htmhttp://grammar.about.com/od/pq/g/purpose-term.htmhttp://grammar.about.com/od/pq/g/purpose-term.htmhttp://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/audiencterm.htm


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Diction has multiple concerns;

registerwords being either formal orinformal in social contextis foremost.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colloquialismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colloquialismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formality


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E.g. :

Literary diction analysis reveals how a

passage establishes tone andcharacterization.

A preponderance of verbs relating physicalmovement suggests an active character.

e.g flexed, shook, snapped, shook,held,wiped, clenched, folded.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setting_tonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setting_tone


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A preponderance of verbs relating states of

mind portrays an introspective character.e.g. knows, believes, thinks, understands,

appreciates, likes etc.

Formal Language and Diction

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