Formal business style. Stylistic features. Language features
Among the book styles of the language, the official business style stands out for its relative stability and isolation. The official business style is characterized by the presence in it of numerous speech standards - clichés.
Many types of business documents have generally accepted forms of presentation and arrangement of material. It is no coincidence that in business practice, ready-made forms are often used, which are proposed to be filled out. Even envelopes are usually inscribed in a certain order, which is convenient for both writers and postal workers.
The official business style is the style of documents: international treaties, government acts, legal laws, business papers, etc. Despite the differences in content and variety of genres, the official business style as a whole is characterized by a number of common features. These include:
1) conciseness, compactness of presentation, economical use of language tools;
2) the standard arrangement of the material, the frequent obligation of the form (identity card, various kinds of diplomas, certificates, monetary documents, etc.), the use of clichés inherent in this style;
3) the widespread use of terminology, the nomenclature of names (legal, diplomatic, military, etc.), the presence of a special stock of vocabulary and phraseology (official, clerical), the inclusion of complex abbreviated words and abbreviations in the text;
4) frequent use of verbal nouns, denominative prepositions (on basis), as well as various stable phrases that serve to connect parts of a complex sentence (according to the reason that...);
5) the narrative nature of the presentation, the use of nominative sentences with enumeration;
6) direct word order in a sentence as the prevailing principle of its construction;
7) the tendency to use complex sentences that reflect the logical subordination of some factors to others;
8) almost complete absence of emotionally expressive speech means;
9) weak individualization of style.
There are two types of official business style: official documentary style and everyday business. In the first one, one can single out the language of legislative documents related to the activities of state bodies, and the language of diplomatic acts related to international relations. In everyday business style, correspondence between institutions and organizations, on the one hand, and private business papers, on the other, differ in content and genre.
The language of legislative documents includes vocabulary and phraseology of state, civil, criminal law, various codes, as well as vocabulary and phraseology related to the work of administrative bodies, official activities of citizens.
The language of diplomacy is characterized by a bookish, “high” vocabulary used to create a certain solemnity and give the document an underlined significance. Diplomatic materials also use expressions related to etiquette and which are generally accepted formulas of politeness: I ask you, Mr. Ambassador, to accept...
5. Journalistic style of speech, its main features. The main genres of journalistic style.
The word journalistic is derived from the Latin word publicus, which means "public, state."
The words journalism (socio-political literature on modern, topical topics) and publicist (author of works on socio-political topics) are cognate with the word journalistic.
Etymologically, all these words are related to the word public, which has two meanings:
1) visitors, spectators, listeners;
2) people, people.
The purpose of the journalistic style of speech - informing, transferring socially significant information with a simultaneous impact on the reader, listener, convincing him of something, suggesting certain ideas, views to him, encouraging him to certain actions, actions.
Scope of publicistic style of speech - socio-economic, political, cultural relations.
Genres of journalism - an article in a newspaper, magazine, essay, reportage, interview, feuilleton, oratorical speech, judicial speech, speech on radio, television, at a meeting, report.
For journalistic style of speech characteristic:
logic,
Imagery,
emotionality,
appraisal,
Invocation
and their corresponding language tools.
It widely uses socio-political vocabulary, various types of syntactic constructions.
Publicistic text is often built like scientific reasoning: an important social problem is put forward, possible ways of solving it are analyzed and evaluated, generalizations and conclusions are made, the material is arranged in a strict logical sequence, general scientific terminology is used. This brings him closer to the scientific style.
Publicistic speeches differ in reliability, accuracy of facts, specificity, strict validity. It also brings him closer to the scientific style of speech.
On the other hand, for journalistic speech is characteristic
passion, lust. The most important requirement for journalism is public accessibility: It is designed for a wide audience and should be understood by everyone.
The journalistic style has much in common with the artistic style of speech. In order to effectively influence the reader or listener, his imagination and feelings, the speaker or writer uses epithets, comparisons, metaphors and other figurative means, resorts to the help of colloquial and even colloquial words and phrases, phraseological expressions that reinforce emotional impact of speech.
Publicistic articles by V. G. Belinsky, N.A. Dobrolyubova, N.G. Chernyshevsky, N.V. Shelgunov, historians V.S. Solovieva, V.O. Klyuchevsky, V.V. Rozanova, N.A. Berdyaev, speeches by prominent Russian lawyers A.F. Koni, F.N. Plevako.
M. Gorky turned to journalistic genres (the cycles “On Modernity”, “In America”, “Notes on Philistinism”, “Untimely Thoughts”), V.G. Korolenko (letters to A.V. Lunacharsky), M.A. Sholokhov, A.N. Tolstoy, L.M. Leonov, I.G. Ehrenburg.
The writers S. Zalygin, V.G. Rasputin, D.A. Granin, V. Lakshin, Academician D.S. Likhachev.
The journalistic style (as mentioned earlier) includes the speech of the defender or prosecutor in court. And the fate of a person often depends on their oratory, the ability to master the word.
6. Artistic style of speech, its main features. Sphere of use.
The artistic style of speech is the language of literature and art. It is used to convey emotions and feelings, artistic images and phenomena.
Artistic style is a way of self-expression of writers, therefore, as a rule, it is used in writing. Orally (for example, in plays), texts written in advance are read out. Historically, the artistic style functions in three types of literature - lyrics (poems, poems), drama (plays) and epic (stories, novels, novels).
The art style is:
2. Language means are a way of conveying the artistic image, emotional state and mood of the narrator.
3. The use of stylistic figures - metaphors, comparisons, metonyms, etc., emotionally expressive vocabulary, phraseological units.
4. Multi-style. The use of language means of other styles (colloquial, journalistic) is subject to the fulfillment of a creative plan. These combinations gradually form what is called the author's style.
5. The use of verbal ambiguity - words are chosen so that with their help not only “draw” images, but also put a hidden meaning into them.
6. Information transfer function is often hidden. The purpose of the artistic style is to convey the emotions of the author, to create a mood, an emotional mood in the reader.
7.Text. Signs, text structure. Information processing of the text. Paragraph.
Tex-. these are two or more sentences or several paragraphs, connected into a whole by a topic and a main idea, forming a statement, a speech work.
Topic- this is the designation of the subject of speech, that is, those life phenomena or issues that are selected by the author and depicted in his work (often the topic is reflected in the title).
Maintext features are:
1) completeness, semantic completeness, which manifests itself in the full (from the point of view of the author) disclosure of the idea and in the possibility of autonomous perception and understanding text;
2) connectedness, manifested, firstly, in the arrangement of sentences in such a sequence that reflects the logic of the development of thought (semantic connection); secondly, in a certain structural organization, which is formed with the help of lexical and grammatical means of the language;
3) stylistic unity, which is that text always formalized stylistically: as a colloquial, official business, scientific, journalistic or artistic style.
4) integrity, which manifests itself in the combined coherence, completeness and stylistic unity.
The structure of the text is understood as its internal structure.. The units of the internal structure of the text are:
- statement (implemented proposal);
- a series of statements combined semantically and syntactically into a single fragment;
- fragments-blocks (a set of interphrase units that provide the text with integrity due to the implementation of distant and contact semantic and thematic connections).
The units of the semantic-grammatical (syntactic) and compositional levels are interconnected.
Its stylistic and stylistic characteristics are closely related to the semantic, grammatical and compositional structure of the text.
Each text reveals a certain more or less pronounced functional and stylistic orientation (scientific text, fiction, etc.) and has stylistic qualities dictated by this orientation and, moreover, by the individuality of the author.
The construction of the text is determined by the topic, the information expressed, the conditions of communication, the task of a particular message and the chosen style of presentation.
Paragraph - 1) an indent at the beginning of the line, a “red” line .. Each new paragraph reflects one or another stage in the development of actions, one or another characteristic feature in the description of the subject, in the characterization of the hero, this or that thought in reasoning, in proof. There are paragraphs consisting of one sentence. Direct speech is often written from a paragraph, as well as the text following it.
Information processing of the text- the process of extracting the necessary information from the source text.
8. Functional and semantic types of speech. Forms of speech. Types of speech.
Depending on the content of the utterance, our speech is divided into three types:
· description;
narration;
· reasoning.
The description speaks of simultaneous signs, the narrative speaks of successive actions, and the reasoning speaks of the causes of properties and phenomena.
Description: A huge bird swam on the black water. Its plumage shimmered with lemon and pink. A beak with a red leather bag was glued to the head.
Narration: The pelican hurriedly climbed ashore and hobbled to our halt. Then he saw a fish, opened his beak, clicked it with a wooden thud, shouted "wack" and began to desperately beat his wings and stamp his paw.
Reasoning: Pelicans cannot dive. This is due to the special structure of the bones and the presence of subcutaneous air sacs (according to K. Paustovsky).
The description can be used in any style of speech, but in the scientific description of the subject it should be as complete as possible, and in the artistic one the emphasis is on only the brightest details. Therefore, the language means in the artistic style are more diverse than in the scientific one. In the first there are not only adjectives and nouns, but also verbs, adverbs, comparisons, various figurative uses of words are very common.
The peculiarity of the narrative lies in the fact that it talks about successive actions. The message about changing events is the "new" in the sentences of such a text. “Data” is the person doing the action. The narrative often uses verbs in the past perfect tense. But in order to give the text expressiveness, other forms are used simultaneously with these forms.
Every argument has two parts. The first contains the thesis, i.e., the statement that needs to be proved. In the second part, the substantiation of the expressed idea is given: arguments and examples are given. In reasoning, there is often a third part - a conclusion. The thesis and justification are usually associated with unions because, since. The conclusion is joined by the words therefore, thus, therefore. Full reasoning, parts of which are connected by unions, is especially common in scientific and business speech. In colloquial and artistic speech, incomplete reasoning is more common, and unions are omitted.
9. Word in the lexical system of the language. The ambiguity of a word. Homonyms, synonyms, antonyms, paronyms and their use.
Word is a specific unit of language. It is impossible to imagine language without words.
The set of words forms the vocabulary of the language, or vocabulary. Vocabulary reflects reality, names various concepts - objects, signs, phenomena, processes: forest, trees, deaf, leaf fall, spinning.
One word can have multiple meanings. It names a number of interrelated objects, concepts: earth is both `land`, and `surface`, and `soil`, and `territory`, and `state`, which are located on the planet.
The meaning of the word is also related to its origin. In Latin, a person is called homo (from humus - `earth`, `soil`, `fertile layer`). This emphasizes that man is an earthly being.
One meaning-concept can be expressed in different words. `The one who teaches` - a teacher, mentor, teacher, educator.
Polysemantic words- words that have two or more lexical meanings.
Examples of polysemantic words:
hand(part of the body - left hand; handwriting, creative manner - hand of the master).
Homonyms These are words that have different meanings but the same spelling:
(example) In fields not mowed with a scythe,
It had been raining all morning.
Synonyms- these are words of the same part of speech, very close in their lexical meaning. These words are the most accurate means of expression:
(example) The sun shone, the steppe sighed, the grass shone in the diamonds of the rain, and the grass sparkled with gold.
Synonymous series consist of words of one part of speech: face - physiognomy - mug. Can include words of different styles.
Synonyms that link parts of the text, allow you to avoid repetitions of the same word, bring together words that are not synonymous in the language (in terms of the text), are called contextual synonyms:
(example) The blue summer passed
The blue summer is gone.
Absolute synonyms are words that are exactly the same in meaning.
Antonyms are words of the same part of speech that have opposite meanings.
(example) They agreed. Water and stone.
Poetry and prose, ice and fire.
Not so different from each other.
Antonyms allow you to see objects, phenomena, signs in contrast, as in extreme opposites.
Paronyms- these are words with the same root, the same part of speech, close in meaning and sound. In the sentence, they perform the same syntactic functions: deep - deep, heroism - heroism.
Confusion of paronyms- a gross violation of the literary forms of word usage.
The official business style (ODS) serves the sphere of official relations, in which communication participants perform certain social functions. Situations in such communication are as typical as possible, which gives rise to the standard speech behavior of their participants, therefore, many documents are ready-made forms in which only the passport data of the submitter of the document needs to be entered.
The term "official business style" is used to denote the features of the language of official (organizational and administrative) and diplomatic documents. The main function of the official business style is that, requiring a certain form in the written presentation of the content, it gives the text the character of a document and translates the various aspects of human relations reflected in this text into the category of official business documents.
The main features of the ODS are the accuracy of the wording, the standard arrangement of the material, the regulation (a limited set of language tools), the rigor and simplicity, the richness of information, the written form of presentation and the impersonality of the statement.
ODS is subdivided into three sub-styles - legal, diplomatic and clerical and business. Each of them is reflected in a number of genres. The genres of the legal sub-style include the constitution, code, law, charter, resolution, the genres of the diplomatic sub-style include a letter of credence, protest note, declaration, communiqué, the genres of the clerical and business sub-style include an order, contract, notification, order, as well as all types of documents. personal nature (statement, complaint, receipt, power of attorney, letter, memorandum / service / explanatory note, autobiography, etc.).
Of the linguistic features of the official business style, the following should be highlighted. To the lexical features of the ODS includes the presence of stable expressions and terms denoting the realities of social life, as well as clericalism, which are immediately striking, imprinted and later pop up in colloquial speech in a spontaneous and unprepared form ( proper, undersigned, hear, plaintiff, individual, consumer and etc.). In the texts of the ODS, there is no emotionally expressive vocabulary, evaluative and introductory-modal words ( good, bad, like, want, probably, maybe, etc.). The words used in the texts are characterized by limited lexical compatibility, for example, official letter not spelled, but is drawn up.
In morphological terms the use of short forms of adjectives with the meaning of obligation is noted ( obligated, responsible, accountable) and participles ( the decision was made, the candidacy was supported), an abundance of denominative prepositions and conjunctions ( accordingly, in continuation, for the purposes of, due to the fact that). To express imperativeness, infinitive constructions are used, reinforced with adverbs and modal words ( repairs should be made, I order measures to be taken, it is necessary to proceed to ... etc.).
To syntactic features ODS texts include the active use of passive constructions ( order completed, not possible, negotiations completed) and an abundance of sentences with homogeneous members and isolated phrases, various kinds of clichés and clichés with elements of archaism ( according to the deed, the punishability of the act).
SDS texts are characterized by sentences with inversion - the subject with an objective meaning follows the predicate ( Everyone is guaranteed freedom of conscience). Sentences with participial and participle phrases make the text informatively saturated. The texts are dominated by constructions with "stringing" genitive cases of nouns without prepositions ( Any form of restriction of the rights of citizens of the Russian Federation is prohibited).
Official business texts are characterized by a high degree of segmentation, which allows you to clearly structure the text, dividing it into articles, paragraphs, paragraphs, subparagraphs. The text is built according to a template (form), which includes all the elements required for a given genre.
The texts of the ODS, or documents, occupy a significant place in the life of a modern person. They regulate our social life, so we feel the need for them every day. That is why each of us must be able not only to correctly interpret the document, but also to compose it correctly. The author compiling this or that document must use in it those linguistic means that the genre of the document requires from him, and not “invent” his own, different from the standard phrases.
The document is created in accordance with the genre model of the text with an unchanged composition, which includes the obligatory thematic blocks, i.e. details.
For example, a job application contains the following details:
1) indication of the addressee (name of the head and enterprise);
2) indication of the addressee;
3) the name of the genre of the document (statement);
4) the main content of the request (please accept me ...);
5) indication of the date of preparation of the document;
6) signature (handwritten signature).
It is necessary to strictly observe the requirements for the location of details in relation to each other. In the application, the addressee and addressee are indicated in the upper right corner of the sheet. The title of the document (with a capital letter and without a dot at the end, if the addresser is with the preposition "from", or with a lowercase letter and with a dot at the end, if the addressee is without the preposition "from") is located in the middle, and the main content is the width of the sheet. The date is placed on the bottom left, and the signature is placed on the right, on the same line as the date. In this case, blank lines are left between the details. Under the date and signature, free space is left for resolution. Resolutions are also located in the upper left corner.
The official business style is the most common style that functions not only in office work and diplomacy, but also in any official relations, for example, at work, at a university, in medical institutions, in a newspaper, etc.
When compiling documents, generally accepted stable speech turns are used: I ask for your permission to…; I, the undersigned ...; reference is given ... that ... really ...; let me invite you…; I, who live at the address ..., trust ...
The correct use of verbs such as trust, assure, guarantee, declare, notify, insist, confirm, notify, offer, order etc. These verbs are used in the form of the first person plural or singular in sentences without a subject, as well as the third person singular when referring to the addressee, for example: “I ask” and not “I ask”; “commit” not “we commit”.
The drafter of the document should be able to accurately and concisely state his point of view on the problem of interest to him. To do this, he must know the language means expressing causal and other logical relationships, which, first of all, include complex conjunctions and denominative prepositions: due to, for the purpose of, on the basis of, in order to avoid, according to, according to, thanks to, due to etc.
In official business papers, etiquette formulas of appeal should be used correctly, indicating the respectful attitude of the addressee to the addressee: Thank you for…, We kindly ask you…, Unfortunately… It should be borne in mind that in a business letter, second person pronouns ( you, your) are written with a capital letter, while in ordinary written speech such a spelling contradicts the norms of Russian spelling.
In official business papers, familiar address to the addressee is not allowed ( Expensive…), indication of the response time in the ultimatum form ( Please answer me immediately...) or refusal to the addressee's request without giving reasons.
Typical business speech errors include the following violations:
1) unmotivated use of foreign words ( roll over instead of extend; appeal instead of address);
2) the use of archaisms ( which instead of which the, this year instead of this year);
3) incorrect use of paronyms ( graduated from high school instead of graduated from high school; introduce the products instead of familiarize yourself with the products);
4) violation of the rules for the use of prepositions ( thanks to, according to, in spite of, according to combined with the dative case; as a result, during differ in their spelling from prepositional case combinations an experienced detective is involved in the investigation; there are rapids along the river.
Here are two options for writing a statement.
Option 1 (statement from whom):
prof. A.M. Shammazov
from a second year student
Faculty of Technology
Nikolaev Denis Yakovlevich
Statement
I ask you to transfer me to a correspondence course for family reasons. An extract from the academic certificate of the tests and exams I passed is attached.
07/25/2012 Personal signature
Option 2 (whose statement):
Rector of the Ufa State
Petroleum Technical University
prof. A.M. Shammazov
second year student
Faculty of Technology
Nikolaev Denis Yakovlevich
statement.
In connection with the request of the enterprise that sent me to study at its own expense, I ask you to transfer me to the specialty “Drilling oil and gas wells”. The letter from the HR Department of Burintekh LLC is attached.
Introduction
Currently, the term "rhetoric" is used in a narrow and broad sense. Rhetoric (in the narrow sense) is the designation of a philological discipline that studies the theory of eloquence, ways of constructing expressive speech in all areas of speech activity (primarily in various oral and written genres). Rhetoric (in a broad sense) is called neo-rhetoric or general rhetoric. Its rapid and productive development was caused by the emergence of new linguistic sciences - text linguistics, semiotics, hermeneutics, the theory of speech activity, and psycholinguistics. Neo-rhetoric is looking for ways of practical application of these disciplines; it is being developed at the intersection of linguistics, literary theory, logic, philosophy, ethics, aesthetics, and psychology.
The purpose of the work is to master the culture of business speech and communication, develop your own style of service relationships, and form an image.
For a management specialist, a businessman, achieving this goal means acquiring the most important component of professional activity.
Thus, speech, the ability to communicate, etiquette are the main "tools" for creating the image of a business person, that is, self-presentation, constructing one's image for others. A noble image guarantees a leader, an entrepreneur, half the success and constant job satisfaction. We must not forget that harmonious communication is always based on the awareness of the importance for being and the observance of ethical standards, such as tact, delicacy, respect for the honor and dignity of the individual, justice. Intelligence as a quality of internal culture - a tolerant attitude towards the world and towards people - is invariably reflected in external behavior, manifested in charm.
Features of the official business style
The modern official business style is a functional variety of the Russian literary language used in the field of public relations. Business speech serves as a means of communication between states, the state with an individual and society as a whole; a means of communication between enterprises, institutions, organizations; a means of official communication between people in production and in the service sector.
The official business style refers to the book-written styles of the literary language. It is implemented in the texts of laws, orders, decrees, orders, contracts, acts, certificates, certificates, powers of attorney, in business correspondence of institutions. The oral form of official business speech is represented by a speech and report at meetings and conferences, judicial speech, official telephone conversation, and oral order.
The general extralinguistic and proper linguistic features of this style include the following:
1) accuracy, detail of presentation;
2) standardization of presentation;
3) the obligatory prescriptive nature of the presentation.
Indeed, the language of laws requires, above all, accuracy, which does not allow any discrepancies; speed of understanding is not important, since the interested person, if necessary, will read the article of the law two or three times, striving for a complete understanding. The standardization of the presentation is manifested in the fact that the heterogeneous phenomena of life in a business style fit into a limited number of standard forms.
Business speech is impersonal, stereotyped, it lacks an emotional beginning.
A specific property of business speech is the expression of will. Voluntaryness in texts is expressed semantically (selection of words) and grammatically. So, in management documentation, we constantly meet with the forms of the first person of the verb (I ask, I suggest, I order, congratulations), with modal forms, must (should, must, should, be offered).
Depending on the scope of business speech and the stylistic originality of the corresponding texts, three substyles are usually distinguished within the OD:
1) diplomatic (types of documents: international treaties, agreements, conventions, memorandums, notes, communiques, etc.; oral forms are practically not used);
2) legislative (types of documents, such as laws, decrees, civil, criminal and other acts of state significance; the main oral form is judicial speech);
3) managerial (types of documents: charters, contracts, orders, orders, statements, characteristics, powers of attorney, receipts, etc.; oral forms - report, speech, office telephone conversation, oral order).
Diplomatic style. This type of OD style serves the field of international relations. The scope of documenting the diplomatic sub-style is law, and to a greater extent than in other sub-styles. - politics, as it is connected with the implementation of the international policy of the state.
Legislative framework. Legal documents are more stylistic and linguistically homogeneous than documents of other sub-styles. The extensive use of legal terminology can be noted in these texts.
The legislative substyle uses abstract vocabulary and practically lacks expressive-emotional language means, evaluative vocabulary. Estimated words of this kind, such as a parasite, a criminal acquire a terminological meaning in legal texts. There are many antonyms here, since legislative speech reflects opposing interests, opposes and compares the concepts: rights and obligations, work and leisure, personal and public, plaintiff and defendant, crime and punishment, marriage registration and divorce, adoption of a child and deprivation of parental rights, voluntarily and forcibly, withhold and accrue.
The language of laws had a great influence on the formation of the entire official business style; it has always been the basis of business speech. Of course, the language of laws should be a model for the language of management documentation. But the managerial substyle, like the diplomatic one, has its own norms and linguistic diversity, due to the content and composition of documents.
Management style. The scope of the managerial substyle is a variety of administrative, departmental, industrial relations. The types of documents of the administrative substyle differ most from each other in compositional, stylistic and linguistic terms.
In the texts of the administrative substyle, along with neutral and bookish vocabulary, words and set phrases with official business style coloring are used (undersigned, proper, following, housing tax, lump sum, notify).
The managerial substyle has its own administrative and managerial terminology, for example: the name of institutions, positions, types of official documents. Due to the fact that this substyle serves different areas of social and industrial activity, the most diverse terminology is used in the texts of the substyle. It is not recommended to use synonyms in official texts, replacing the direct names of objects and actions with them. Unlike the legislative sub-style, there are few antonyms here. Abbreviations, complex abbreviations, various means of codification are often used in the texts of the managerial substyle.
Only in the texts of the managerial sub-style are used forms of the verb in the 1st person, sometimes personal pronouns. This is due to concretization, with an exact indication of the author of the text. In the managerial style, verbs in the imperative mood are not used and relatively rarely - constructions with the words must, must. The meaning of obligation is softened in the texts by the use of such phrases as oblige, oblige, impose an obligation.
Russian language and culture of speech: a course of lectures Trofimova Galina Konstantinovna
Lecture 1 Features of the official business style. business man speech
Features of the official business style. business man speech
1. Features of the official business style.
2. Culture of business communication.
3. Conditions for successful business communication.
4. National features of business communication.
Everyone knows the tale of two bear cubs who shared the found cheese. They did not trust each other and asked the fox to share the cheese. As a result, the fox ate all the cheese, and the cubs got nothing. Also instructive is the story of two sisters who had only one orange. They cut him in half. It turned out at the same time that one of the sisters needed a peel, and the second - juice. Each of them would receive twice as much if they took into account the interests of each other.
For success in communication, it is very important to take into account the interests, values of the addressee, his expectations and goals, as well as the scope of communication. This principle is especially important in business communication, which serves the formal business style.
The official business style serves the sphere of official business relations, that is, relations that arise between state bodies, between organizations or within them, between organizations and individuals in the process of production, legal activity.
In the official business sphere, the language of people connected by the interests of the case is used, who have the necessary authority to establish business relations, resolve business problems. That's why they talk about business communication.
Oral business speech is addressed to the interlocutor and suggests the possibility of influencing him. For this purpose, in addition to verbal, non-verbal language is used. Business communication has its own lexico-grammatical and stylistic specificity.
The vocabulary of official business speech uses a large number of international vocabulary, standardized expressions, cognate words, nouns with a generic meaning, as well as abbreviations, compound words. Verbs and verb formations are widely used - participles, gerunds, verbal nouns and adjectives.
The syntax is characterized by the presence of incomplete, impersonal sentences, appeals, connecting constructions, simple sentences, introductory words and phrases. Prepositions and passive constructions are used, a large number of homogeneous members of the sentence.
Business communication requires the strict use of speech structures, a standard, jargon, etc. is not allowed. Business communication requires knowledge of a professional language, knowledge of terms specific to a particular area of communication (legal, diplomatic, managerial).
The main requirements for the oral speech of a business person are as follows:
- accuracy and clarity (use of words in the correct meaning, exclusion of foreign words used without necessity),
- brevity (no repetitions, tautologies),
- concreteness
- correctness
- normativity,
- logic
- reasoning
- standardized speech formulations.
Business communication can be necessary (when it is impossible to carry out joint activities without interpersonal contacts), desirable (certain contacts contribute to a more successful implementation of tasks), neutral, undesirable (makes it difficult to achieve the goal).
Business people have to constantly communicate with people at different levels of the corporate ladder. Therefore, they talk about vertical and horizontal relations. Vertically, these are subordinate relations, they are determined by social status, administrative and legal norms and are characterized by the subordination of the younger to the senior in rank. A vertical dialogue has historically developed in Russia.
Horizontal relations involve participation in joint activities on the principles of cooperation, mutual understanding, taking into account common interests. Currently, in the business life of Russia, there is a transition to subordination and partnership relations.
A specific feature of business communication is its regulation, i.e., obedience to established rules and restrictions. There are so-called written and unwritten rules of conduct. Regulation (protocol) implies compliance with the norms of business etiquette, which reflects the accumulated experience, moral attitudes of certain social groups and people of different nationalities. The protocol prescribes how to behave in a business setting, at a meeting, negotiations, as well as how to dress, what to give, how to conduct business correspondence and much more. A very important place is given to speech etiquette. At present, a whole system of speech formulas has been created for each speech situation.
The regulation of business communication also means its limited time frame. Business meetings have strict rules. To this end, a range of issues to be discussed is outlined in advance and thorough preparations are made for the meeting.
When communicating, it is very important to create a favorable psychological climate. For this it is recommended:
- Greet the interlocutor with a sincere smile, a friendly look, address him by his first name or patronymic or using the addresses adopted in a particular country.
- Show your desire to understand the position of the interlocutor, focus on the result expected by the interlocutor.
– Try to identify the positive qualities of the interlocutor.
- Consider the emotional state of the interlocutor.
- Emphasize equality of positions, behave calmly and confidently.
- Emotionally support the conversation.
- Express sincere approval (all people love to be praised, talk about their merits).
- Give compliments. Any business conversation, commercial negotiations can be started with them. The more compliments a person makes, the more he gets them.
An important feature of business communication is the strict observance by its participants of the role role: boss - subordinate, partners, colleagues, etc.
According to psychologists, each of us in communication represents one or another type. Depending on the role in communication, the type of character, various groups are distinguished. Currently, entire systems have been created for determining the type of personality based on various signs.
So, the American psychologist Everett Shostrom believes that a manipulator sits in every person. It distinguishes the following types:
- dictator (dominates, orders, governs),
- a victim of a dictator (obeys orders),
- calculator (deceives, lies, tries to outwit),
- stuck (craves to be the subject of worries, makes you do everything for yourself),
- bully (exaggerates aggressiveness, manages with the help of threats),
- nice guy (kills with kindness, moralist),
- judge (does not trust anyone, critical),
- protector (cares for others, overemphasizing it). Based on them, 4 types of people in business communication are distinguished:
- active - plays the role of a person full of strength;
- passive - pretends to be stupid and helpless ("Kazan orphan");
- Competitor - a fighter in the tournament;
- indifferent - plays a role, knocking out concessions.
Curious is the so-called psycho-geometric approach to personality typology, which was substantiated by the American psychologist S. Dellinger. This approach is based on what kind of geometric figure a person prefers.
For example, a “square” loves to work, loves stability and order, lives according to a plan. His speech is logical, consistent, detailed, monotonous, with clichés and terms.
"Triangle" - leader, energetic, decisive, pragmatic, ambitious, non-self-critical, detonator of interpersonal relationships. Speech is logical, clear, focused on the essence of the matter, fast.
The Rectangle is dissatisfied with itself, inconsistent, tends to be supportive. Speech is confused, emotional, unclear.
"Circle" strives for harmony in relations, benevolent, seeks to empathize, tries to please everyone, often indecisive. Speech - often deviating from the main topic, smooth, emotional.
"Zigzag" likes to sharpen the conflict, is witty, strives for independence, feels the mood of people, is unrestrained, expressive, does not bring things to the end. Speech is inconsistent, associative, bright.
Successful business interaction is determined by how the goal is set, the interests of partners are determined, the strategy and tactics are chosen.
In business communication, such qualities as commitment, loyalty to the word, organization, observance of moral standards are valued.
In practice, there are different forms of business communication: conversation, negotiations, meetings, presentations, telephone conversations, briefings. All of them have their own characteristics and scope, but the flow process is approximately the same.
As a rule, the following stages are distinguished in business communication: establishing contact, orientation in a situation, discussing issues, making a decision, achieving a goal, getting out of contact.
Establishing contact is very important. Sometimes a person is hindered in establishing contact:
- the halo effect - everything good is attributed to a positive person, with a negative attitude towards a person - everything bad, even his positive actions are regarded in this case as negative;
- typification effect - a judgment about a person is made from the point of view of one's own experience or the opinions of others;
- the effect of primacy - the first impression of a person is the strongest and it is difficult to reverse it.
In business communication, both the pros and cons of a person's individual characteristics are demonstrated. Therefore, business communication requires introspection and constant monitoring. In ancient Rome, according to custom, a slave was placed behind the victorious commander, who during the procession shouted out the phrase: “Be careful not to fall”, thus reminding him that he is just a man.
In the process of business communication, various techniques are used to help achieve the goal. (Cialdini described them in The Psychology of Influence.)
The principle of contrast, when the difference is exaggerated. (Perfectly used by sellers. They show first an expensive item, and then a cheap one, first a bad house, and then a good one, but not the best, but the one that needs to be sold.)
The principle of reciprocity. People try to pay for services rendered. (They give a gift for testing, forcing them to buy something that is not necessary at all.) In this case, the person feels obligated and often gives more than they did to him.
The principle of social proof. People are guided by other people in a similar situation. The principle of participation in advertising of famous athletes, politicians. This principle takes into account that only 5% of people are initiators, the rest are imitators.
The principle of favor. People are more willing to comply with the requirements of those they like or know. This is primarily due to physical attractiveness. In this case, positive qualities are automatically attributed to a person. We like people who are like us.
Lunch method. While eating, people are more willing to make positive decisions, make concessions. Therefore, many contracts are signed and decisions are made during a business lunch or dinner.
In the oral speech of business people, it is necessary to take into account etiquette norms. Experts advise: never talk about your personal life and do not ask about someone else's. And politely evade conversations on personal topics. So, when communicating on business, it is not recommended to keep talking about politics, religion, ask questions about income, salary.
The pace of internationalization of the economy, new electronic means of communication lead to the expansion of international contacts, the emergence of a large number of joint ventures, and interaction between representatives of business circles from different countries. At present, knowledge and understanding of the national characteristics of all participants in communication is the most important condition for the effective solution of emerging problems.
Each nation has developed its own traditions of business communication, which are expressed in language, movements, gestures, etc. Thus, the culture of the United States is characterized as informal, individualistic, materialistic, focused on the value of time. In Japan and China, more time is given to the group than to the individual. Submission and cooperation are more important there. In Latin America or Saudi Arabia, great importance is attached to tradition, ceremony, where it is customary to first talk on irrelevant topics and only then move on to the issue of discussion.
Each nation has features that need to be taken into account in business communication.
The characteristic features of Americans are energy, independence, enterprise, diligence. They are patriots. Their philosophy is to earn as much as possible and quickly. Their style is highly professional, they are individualists, they like to act without regard to their superiors. They are democratic, often behave informally, love jokes, value honesty and frankness, they save time and are distinguished by punctuality. They do not like pauses, decisions are made quickly and rarely change it.
The English are considered honest, reasonable, courteous. They are characterized by restraint, isolation, efficiency and enterprise. They prefer not to touch personal topics, they are conservative, gardening is a national passion. They solve problems not by phone, but, as a rule, by letters. Their word can be trusted. Verbosity is regarded as a violation of the rules of communication, the imposition of one's opinion.
The Japanese are very polite, so they don’t say “no”, looking into the eyes is considered bad manners, not handshakes are accepted, but bows, the more important the guest, the more bows. They negotiate as a team, never make decisions right away. If they are treated with courtesy, they usually make concessions. Russian journalist V. Tsvetov in the book "The Fifteenth Stone of the Reanji Garden" gives an example of negotiations between Japanese and American companies. When the Americans talked about their company, about the possibilities and benefits of cooperation, the Japanese nodded their heads and listened decorously. And then they began to ask questions that seemed irrelevant. The Japanese believed that the Americans were putting pressure on them, and the Americans were surprised by the requests of the other side and their questions. The negotiations were terminated.
Thus, business communication involves knowledge of speech etiquette, the rules for constructing business conversations and meetings, knowledge of the norms of the literary language, the use of the necessary speech formulas according to the situation. The effectiveness of business communication also depends on the knowledge of the psychological characteristics of the individual, which reflects the language, on the knowledge of the national characteristics of business people.
1. About What do you need to remember when preparing for a business conversation?
2. What techniques are most often used in business communication, what techniques do you use to achieve your goal?
APPENDIX
Sample interview questions
1. Why do you want to work in our company?
2. What is your work experience?
3. What can you say about the company and its leader?
4. Are you willing to work as long as it takes?
5. What salary do you want to receive?
6. What kind of student were you?
7. What goal do you want to achieve?
8. How do you spend your free time?
10. Why did you leave your previous job?
11. Your strengths and weaknesses.
12. What is the most important thing in your life?
13. Do you like to work in a team?
When writing a resume
1. All information should fit on one page.
2. The text of the resume is typed on a computer.
4. Titles must be highlighted.
5. The resume is beautifully designed and on good quality paper.
6. All names are written in full.
7. Provide information that emphasizes your strengths and may influence the employer's decision.
8. Numbers are written in reverse chronological order.
9. Eliminate unnecessary random information. 10. Avoid blots, grammatical errors.
From the book History of World and National Culture author Konstantinova, S V19. Features of the culture of the New Age. Science and technology. The spiritual life of man Since the beginning of the XIX century. there is a sharp change in the human environment - the urban lifestyle begins to prevail over the rural. In the 19th century a turbulent process begins. Thinking is changing
From the book Watching the Chinese. Hidden rules of conduct authorChina through the eyes of a business man
From the book Russians [stereotypes of behavior, traditions, mentality] author Sergeeva Alla VasilievnaThe Fundamentals of Business Etiquette in China
From the book Culturology (lecture notes) the author Halin K E§ 2. Style of business communication “Less words, more deeds” “Moscow was not built immediately” Russian sayings What is the path to mutual understanding in business cooperation between the French and Russians? First you need to analyze the features of your own culture. Very important
From the book Psycholinguistics author Frumkina Revekka MarkovnaLecture 15. Features of ancient cultures 1. Primitive culture The period of cultural antiquity (primitive culture) is determined by the following framework: 40-4 thousand years BC. e. Within this period, the following are distinguished: 1) the Old Stone Age (Paleolithic): 40–12 thousand years BC. e.; 2) middle stone
From the book How to Defeat the Chinese author Maslov Alexey Alexandrovich From the book China and the Chinese [What guidebooks are silent about] by the author of the author1. Biosocial features of a person Modern science considers a person as a special biosocial being with a specific anatomical structure, consciousness, articulate speech, and the social nature of life and activity. evolution process
From the author's bookLecture 3 Features of oral and written speech. Speech etiquette Plan1. Features of oral speech. Construction of oral speech.2. Features of writing.3. Etiquette and its functions. Ethics of oral and written speech. Features of Russian speech etiquette.4. Speech formulas
From the author's bookLecture 1 Scientific style of speech. Its linguistic and structural features Plan1. Scientific style of speech and its sub-styles.2. Term.3. Linguistic features of the scientific style.4. Ways and methods of creating a scientific text. One of the areas of human activity is
From the author's bookLecture 3 Features of course work. Bibliographic description Plan1. Features of the course work.2. Text rubrication, bibliographic description. In a higher educational institution, a student has to perform independent scientific work, conduct experiments,
From the author's bookSection 4 Culture of official business speech
From the author's bookLecture 3 Features of written speech in business communication. Types of documents, their design, language and style Plan1. Document norms (text and language).2. Speech etiquette of the document.3. Language and style of private documents.4. Language and style of service documentation.Currently
The official business style serves legal relations between citizens and the state and is used in various documents - from state acts and international treaties to business correspondence. The most important functions of this style - communication and influence - are implemented in such official documents as laws, decrees, orders, contracts, agreements, business correspondence, statements, receipts, etc.
This style is also called administrative, as it serves the sphere of official, business relations, the field of law and public policy. Its other name - business speech - indicates that this style is the most ancient of book styles, its origins are in the business speech of the era of the Kiev state, in which legal documents (contracts, "Russkaya Pravda", various letters) were already created in X century.
The official business style stands out among other book styles, and is characterized by stability, relatively clear stylistic isolation, extreme standardization and unification, maximum specificity and absolute accuracy.
Despite the wide variety of business documents, their language is strictly subject to the requirements of an official business presentation: the accuracy of the wording of legal norms and the need for absolute adequacy of their understanding, the composition of the mandatory elements of the document, ensuring its legal validity, the standardized nature of the presentation, stable forms of arranging the material in a certain logical sequences, etc.
For all forms of business writing, strict compliance with the literary norm at all language levels is mandatory - the use of:
1) lexical and phraseological means of colloquial, colloquial nature, dialectal, professional jargon words;
2) non-literary variants of inflection and word formation;
3) colloquial syntactic constructions.
The official business style does not accept expressive elements: evaluative vocabulary, high or reduced words (joking, ironic), figurative expressions. The most important requirement for the language of a document is the objectivity and "dispassion" of the presentation of facts.
The official business style functions mainly in writing, but its oral form is not excluded - speeches by statesmen and public figures at solemn meetings, meetings, receptions. The oral form of business speech is characterized by a full style of pronunciation, a special expressiveness of intonation, and logical stresses. The speaker can allow some emotional elation of speech, even interspersed with other-style language means, without violating, however, the literary norm. Wrong accents, non-literary pronunciation are not allowed.
The vocabulary of official speech is characterized by the widespread use of thematically determined special words and terms (legal, diplomatic, military, accounting, sports, etc.).
The desire for brevity leads to the use of abbreviations, complexly abbreviated names of state bodies, institutions, organizations, societies, parties, etc. (Security Security Council, Airborne Forces, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Air Force, Scientific Research Institute, DEZ, LDPR, NZ, PE, CIS, GVMU MO RF, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health), as well as reductions (illiquid assets, cash (black), federal, etc.).
Business texts are distinguished by the use of words and expressions that are not accepted in other styles (the above, the following, the above, proper, prohibited, preventive measure, deed, punishability, etc.). These include stable phrases: a cassation complaint, an act of civil (state), an act of disobedience, a written undertaking not to leave, etc. The regular use of such words and expressions that do not have synonyms contributes to the accuracy of speech, excludes other interpretations.
The inappropriateness of the expressive coloring of official speech makes it impossible to use interjections, modal words, a number of particles, words with subjective evaluation suffixes, adjectives in comparative and superlative degrees. Nouns denoting positions are usually used in the masculine form (accountant, director, laboratory assistant, postman, controller, etc.).
In official speech, non-personal forms of verbs are more common - participles, participles, infinitives, which especially often act in the meaning of the imperative mood (take note, make a suggestion, recommend, withdraw from use, etc.).
The syntax of the official business style reflects the impersonal nature of speech (Complaints are filed with the prosecutor; Carriage of goods is carried out). In this regard, passive constructions are widely used, which allow you to abstract from specific performers and focus on the actions themselves (According to the competition, enrolled ... 10 patients were admitted; 120 applications were registered; The deadline for the order is extended subject to ...).
Syntactic constructions in official speech are full of clichéd phrases with denominative prepositions: in order, in connection with, along the line, on the basis of, etc. (in order to improve the structure; in connection with the indicated complications; in the line of cooperation and mutual assistance; based on the decision ). These syntactic clichés are a specific feature of the formal business style. The use of such syntactic constructions is necessary for expressing typical situations. They facilitate and simplify the compilation of standard texts.
At the same time, a characteristic feature of business speech is the predominance of complex sentences: a simple sentence cannot reflect the sequence of facts to be considered in an official business plan.
In order to achieve conciseness and accuracy in a business style, parallel syntactic constructions are often used (participial and participle constructions, constructions with verbal nouns).
Business style syntax is characterized by a strict and definite word order in a sentence. This is due to the requirement of consistency, consistency, accuracy of presentation of thoughts in business texts.
A stylistic feature of business speech is also the predominant use of indirect speech. Direct speech in an official business style is resorted to only in cases where verbatim citation of legislative acts and other documents is necessary.
In the design of texts, official business style, paragraph division and heading play an important role, details are constant elements of the content of the document: names, dates, signatures, as well as the graphic design adopted for this document. All this is of paramount importance in office work, testifies to the literacy of the compiler of documents, his professionalism and culture of speech.
Depending on the area of use official business style is divided into sub-styles:
1) diplomatic, implemented in the texts of a communique, note, convention, memorandum, international agreement;
2) legislative (legal), represented in the texts of the law, constitution, decree, charter, civil and criminal acts;
3) administrative and clerical, used in clerical correspondence, in administrative acts, orders, contracts, various documentation (applications, powers of attorney, autobiographies, receipts, characteristics, protocols, etc.).
Official business documents differ in the degree of standardization of speech
.There are three types:
1) documents that lose their legal force without a standard form (passport, marriage certificate, birth certificate, matriculation certificate, diploma);
2) documents that do not have a standard form, but for the convenience of their use, drawn up according to a certain model (notes, contracts, etc.);
3) documents that do not require a mandatory specified form when they are drawn up (minutes, resolutions, reports, business letters). However, for these types of business papers, certain standards have been developed that facilitate office work.
The variety of genres in the official business style gives reason to single out official documentary and everyday business genres in its composition; the first presents the features of the language of diplomacy, laws, and secondly - official correspondence, business papers.
Note the linguistic features of official documents belonging to different genres
.The language of diplomatic documents is very peculiar: it has its own terminology (attache, communiqué, demarche, summit, pact, convention), some terms are native Russian (ambassador, envoy, chargé d'affaires). Sometimes words in diplomacy take on a special, special meaning. For example, the word protocol, known to us in its common sense (minutes of a meeting - a document recording everything that happened at a meeting, cf.: protocol of interrogation - an accurate reflection of questions and answers), in the speech of diplomats takes on a different meaning: it is "a set of generally accepted binding rules, traditionally observed in international communication.
The rules of diplomatic courtesy require addressing high-ranking persons with their titles and title forms (Prince, Queen, His Highness, His Excellency, etc.).
Strict forms of the beginning and end of various documents have been developed. For example, a personal note must be written in the first person (on behalf of the one who signs it). The appeal requires the addition of the word dear, and at the end, before the signature, a courtesy formula (“compliment”) is obligatory: I ask you, Mr. Ambassador, to accept the assurances of my very high consideration.
The syntax of diplomatic documents is complex, it is dominated by long sentences, complicated by participial phrases, subordinate clauses (mainly definitive and explanatory), a lengthy list of homogeneous members, often graphically underlined with the help of paragraph division of the construction.
For example, the introductory part (preamble) of the Charter of the United Nations looks like this:
WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS ARE RESOLVEDdeliver future generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lives has brought unspeakable grief to mankind, andto reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women, and in the equal rights of nations large and small, andcreate conditions under which justice and respect for obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be observed, andto promote social progress and better living conditions in greater freedom,AND FOR THESE PURPOSEbe tolerant and live together, in peace with each other, as good neighbors, andcombine our forces to maintain international peace and security, andto ensure by the adoption of principles and the establishment of methods that the armed forces shall not be employed except in the general interest, anduse the international apparatus to promote the economic and social progress of all peoplesWE DECIDED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS.
This whole long piece of text is one sentence, in which infinitive phrases are underlined by paragraphs, paragraph indents and significant parts (subject of the contract, goals, etc.) are in font.
The language of laws is distinguished by a different stylistic design: it should always be simple and concise, the main thing in it is the accuracy of the expression of thought. The clarity and accuracy of the wording is absolutely necessary here, since the laws are designed for unambiguous perception, they should not be interpreted in different ways.
Let us cite as an example the classical formulations of human rights from the Universal Declaration adopted by the UN General Assembly half a century ago.
Article 1 All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards each other in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 3 Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4 No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade are prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5 No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The vocabulary of such important documents is not devoid of some pompousness, which is determined by the content of the text. The elevated sound of speech is quite natural in such cases. This is how government notes, international treaties, etc. are written. However, among the legislative documents there are quite a few that are distinguished by dry, even boring language. Such a reputation is created for him by the use of special words and expressions, the so-called clericalisms (living space, living, enrolling, providing time off (vacation), endorse, hear, proper, after the expiration of the term, in the prescribed manner, enter into force, etc. .). This style is replete with standard wording, a lot of repetition, which is also functionally conditioned.
Here is an example of an excerpt from the "Law on Pensions of the Russian Federation":
II. old age pension
Article 10. General grounds determining the right to a pension.
Pension on a general basis is established:
- for men - upon reaching the age of 60 and with a total work experience of at least 25 years;
- women - upon reaching the age of 55 and with a total work experience of at least 20 years.
The repetition of situations considered in legislative documents leads to the standardization of ways of expression, this leaves a mark on the morphology of this substyle. It is characterized by the frequent use of denominative prepositions (for purposes, at the expense of, in business, in the area), which, as a rule, “pull” verbal nouns (achievement, settlement, recovery, establishment, appeal, inquiry, etc.).
In addition to verbal nouns, personal ones are also frequent here, that is, nouns denoting the names of people according to their actions, social roles, other signs: adoptive parent, witness, detainee, vacationer, client, applicant, buyer, visitor, spectator, passenger, etc. All these and similar words receive a negative assessment outside of official business speech as typical clericalisms, but here their use is justified, they perform a style-forming function.
The language of laws is characterized by an impersonal form of presentation, since the will of the state is not reflected in the legislation (Pension is assigned; At the end of the investigation, an indictment is drawn up). This explains the abundance of passive voice verbs (cf .: The house is being built by the joint-stock company "Theme"; The stadium was built and equipped by the sponsors of the boarding school). Of the other verb forms, infinitives are especially common here: they are needed for imperative constructions expressing a prescription, an order (to ensure timely payment of salaries; to reinstate; to report ... to refuse).
The syntax of legislative documents is characterized by the predominance of complex sentences; in complex subordinate clauses, conditional clauses are common. There are many conditionally infinitive constructions here, which is determined by the target task - to stipulate the conditionality of the legal norm, as well as the fact that laws do not have retroactive effect.
In the legislative language, a type of sentence has developed, associated with a special composition of the text of laws. In such cases, rubrication, which reflects the compositional structure of the text, plays an important role. The simplest heading is a paragraph, which serves as an indicator of the transition from one thought (topic) to another. A paragraph is always an internally closed semantic unit.
A characteristic feature of the legislative sub-style is the use of special coordinating conjunctions: as well as, as well as, as well as, as ... and. Here, the predominant use of indirect speech is noted (direct speech is possible only when legislative acts are quoted verbatim, as well as in the oral judicial speech of lawyers, prosecutors and other members of the court).
The way of presentation in the legislative sub-style is directive.
The language of the administrative and clerical substyle deserves special attention, since knowledge of it is important for every citizen, since such business papers as an application, receipt, explanatory note and many others constantly accompany us at work and even on vacation. The ability to write the necessary "paper" is an integral feature of literacy, the culture of human speech.
However, the purpose of the administrative and clerical substyle is wider than the preparation of everyday business documentation. The scope of functioning of the clerical substyle is administrative-departmental relations, which are associated with various kinds of offices that are in charge of official correspondence and paperwork.
The administrative and clerical substyle has two functions:
Informational content (agenda, announcement)
Organizational and regulatory (instruction, order, business correspondence).
The administrative and clerical sub-style includes many genres. These include the so-called subordinate (that is, issued on the basis of and in pursuance of laws) documents issued by executive and administrative bodies (administrative acts, circulars, orders, instructions), and contractual documents, as well as various clerical documentation: application, description, autobiography , power of attorney, receipt, etc.
Administrative and clerical documents stand out against the background of other business texts by some features in the use of language tools.
The vocabulary of this documentation includes various terminology (professional, accounting, trading, sports, etc.), the use of which is determined by the situation.
Nomenclature designations of various enterprises and institutions are used (Central Bank of Russia, State Tax Inspectorate, Open Joint Stock Company (OJSC), Moscow Commodity Exchange, etc.); titles of positions, academic titles, degrees; special terminology related to the execution of business papers (incoming, outgoing (document), document flow (movement of documents in an institution), index (symbols assigned to documents in the process of their accounting (registration) and execution), stamp (a mark indicating a special nature document - “secret”, “urgent”, “personally”), register (list, list of something used in office work), details (mandatory elements of a service document), document form (a set of document details located in the established sequence), etc. .d.
Many turns of speech that are constantly used in business correspondence have gained a stable character.
The arsenal of these language blanks is quite extensive, for example:
I am hereby responding to your letter of...
In accordance with the Protocol on mutual deliveries, I ask you...
I hope for further fruitful cooperation...
We look forward to receiving your reply as soon as possible...
Addressing them to the writer of the letter simplifies the task: he chooses a ready-made wording, inserting it into the appropriate part of the text.
The standardization of business writing has led to the creation of ready-made texts (standard texts, stencil letters), in which you only need to enter specific information. The appearance of such samples for business letters is associated with the need to solve the same type of problem situations in production, transport, and trade.
Such letters have advantages due to much less labor time spent on their composition (in stencil letters - filling in the gaps) and processing.
A typical text is built on the basis of not only clichéd phrases, but also clichéd sentences:
In response to your request, we send you the information you are interested in.
We hereby confirm our participation in the exhibition.
Expression is alien to administrative and clerical speech, but in special cases (holiday order for an institution, diploma, address to the hero of the day), it is possible to use evaluative suffixes, degrees of comparison of adjectives, figurative expressions.
The syntax of clerical documents is complex: complex sentences are used, a long list of homogeneous members, participial and adverbial phrases. In clerical documents, narration, description and reasoning are very often combined with each other. The directive style of presentation in these documents is rare (mainly in orders, instructions).
An important role in the stationery is played by graphics, writing and location of details.