The main features of the literary language

Literary language is a non-dialect form of existence (subsystem) of the national language, characterized by certain features. These include codification, normative, stylistic differentiation, polyfunctionality, as well as high prestige in society, among its bearers.

In this article, we will examine the characteristics of a literary language, its functions, and also the very concept, its properties and definition.

Literary language is the main means, which serves the social environment in communicative needs. It contrasts with other, uncodified subsystems - dialects, urban vernacular (in another way - city koine), as well as social and professional jargon.

Two ways of defining the concept

Literary language as a concept can be determined by the linguistic properties that are inherent in this subsystem of a national language, as well as by delineating the entire population of people who are the bearer of a given subsystem, separating it from the general mass of speakers in that language. The first is a linguistic way of determining, and the second is a sociological one.

Literary language from the point of view of VV Vinogradov

From the point of view of V. V. Vinogradov, the literary language is a common language, on which there is a written language of a certain people or several of them. That is, it includes the language of all cultural manifestations, expressed most often in writing, but sometimes in oral as well as fiction, journalism, science, writing, everyday communication, schooling, official business documents. Therefore, there are different forms of it, such as oral-colloquial and written-book.

Various terms associated with this concept

This term is related in its origin to such a concept as "literature", and in the etymological sense it means that it is based on the "letter", that is, on the letter. Accordingly, it is a written language. And the truth, if we consider the language of the Middle Ages, we will only talk about the language of writing, the totality of texts that have a literary purpose. Other signs of the literary language follow from this definition with the help of the term, therefore they seem understandable and logical.

The manifold terms that are layered on a given subject are, in fact, only an attempt to get out of the impasse of formal logic: conceptual attributes are revered for belonging to a non-existent object, and he himself is defined through them. The features of the literary language will be examined below.

Literary language as a function of the national

Of the many definitions, it is most acceptable to define it as a function of the national language. That is, the literary is only a kind of use of the Russian language, and not a separate, independent language. This understanding lies in the mainstream of the scientific tradition, it is determined by the historical approach to the analysis of the literary language. At the same time, this interpretation explains the existence and development of various spheres of "cultural speaking", since the existence of a literary language as a term is justified. In fact, the latter is only a form of the existence of a national (folk) language, and not just a speech in the narrow sense of the word. Over time, the colloquial forms were superseded by increasingly developing "cultural", the selection of linguistic forms as the structure of the language developed, and constitutes the main content of this historical process.

The main features of the literary language are discussed below. Let's say a few words about language functions.

Polyfunctionality of the Russian language

The concept and attributes of a literary language follow from its functions. Any sufficiently developed language has two main varieties for the purpose of use: live speech and literary language. We have mastered the spoken language since childhood. The development of the second variety occurs continuously, throughout the life and development of man, up to his very old age.

The Russian language today is multifunctional, that is used in a variety of different spheres of human activity. Functionally, the means of the literary language (grammatical constructions, vocabulary) are also differentiated. The use of language tools directly depends on the type of communication. In the literary language (signs of the Russian literary language you'll find a little later), there are two main functional varieties: book and colloquial. Accordingly, the book and spoken language are distinguished. In oral speech, there are three styles of pronunciation: colloquial, neutral and complete.

The main property that characterizes the book language is the ability to preserve the text and therefore serve as a means of communication between different generations.

Its functions are numerous, like the signs, norms of the literary language, they all become more complicated with the development of society.

The leading role of the literary language

Among other varieties that are observed in the national language (social and territorial dialects, vernacular, jargons), it is the literary language that invariably plays the main role. It contains the optimal ways for naming objects and concepts, expressing emotions and thoughts. There is a continuous interaction between him and other varieties of the language, non-literary. In colloquial speech, this is manifested most clearly.

Thus, literary language is the basis of the culture of our speech, as well as the highest form of the existence of the national language. It is used in the media, education, literature, culture. Serves various areas of human activity: science, politics, formal-business communication, legislation, interethnic, everyday communication, television, print, radio.

Signs of the literary language

With the term itself, we sorted it out. Let us now note the main features of the literary language. This is stability (that is, stability), processing (because this is a language that has been processed by various masters of the word: scientists, poets, writers, public figures), compulsory for all people who are native speakers, the presence of certain functional styles, and normality. Here are the most important signs of the literary language.

Normalization

Normalization means a certain definite mode of expression, which reflects the historically established patterns of development of a given literary language. This feature is based on the language system itself, is supported by the best examples of works of literature. The educated part of the population prefers the standardized mode of expression. As a set of specific rules for the use of words, the norm is necessary to preserve the general understanding and integrity of the national language, in order to transmit information from generation to generation. If it did not exist, such changes could occur in the language, as a result of which people living in different parts of our country would cease to understand each other.

Processing and codification

Signs of the literary language are also processing and codification. Processing comes about as a result of selection, and purposeful, all the best that is in it. This selection is carried out in the process of using the national language, as a result of studies conducted by public figures, scholar-philologists.

Codification means the consistency of its norms in the scientific literature. It is expressed in the presence of appropriate grammar dictionaries, as well as other books that contain rules for how to use the language.

These signs of the literary language also seem very important.

Other signs

The hallmark of stylistic diversity implies the existence of a variety of functional styles.

Literary language is also characterized by common usage and prevalence, conformity to customs, use and possibilities of the given language system.

We examined the main features of the Russian literary language. One of the main tasks of speech culture is to protect it, as well as its norms, because literary language is united in the language plan by the whole people. The leading role in its creation invariably belongs to the advanced part of the population.

What literary language should be?

Certainly the literary language should be generally understood, since it should be able to perceive any members of society. He should be so developed as to be able to serve the main spheres of human activity. It is important to observe lexical, grammatical, accentological and orthoepic norms of language in speech. Therefore, a very serious task facing linguists is the consideration of any new that appears in the literary language, from a position of conformity to its general tendencies in linguistic development, as well as to optimal functional conditions.

The more accurate and correct the speech, the more accessible it becomes for understanding, the more expressive and beautiful it is, the more it affects the reader or listener. To beautifully and correctly express, you must observe certain logical laws (evidence, consistency), as well as the norms of our literary language, the unity of style, take care of euphony, and avoid repetition.

The main features of the literary pronunciation of the Russian language were formed on the basis of the Central Russian dialects, their phonetics. Today, under the pressure of normalized, literary dialects are being destroyed.