Theory of Translation 1 Introduction

(III) Stylistic Meaning 
We find out the stylistic meaning of a text by the recognition of different dimensions 
and levels of usage within the same language like dialects, registers etc. Enkvist and 
others (86) have shown the main dimensions of stylistic variation in the figure shown 
below: 

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75 
Dimensions of Stylistic Variation 
Relatively Permanent Features
Relatively Temporary Features 
Individuality Dialect Time
Discourse Register
Medium
Participation
(Speech/ Writing)
(Monologue/ Dialogue) 
Field
Status
Modality 
Singularity 
(Law/Religion etc.) (Polite/Colloquial/ 
(Lecture/Memorandum 
(Dickens/Lamb/ 
Slang) 
Anecdote/Joke) Hemingway) 
The figure shows the range of stylistic variations possible within a language. In fact, 
true synonymy does not exist as words with the same conceptual and stylistic 
meaning are rare. If we limit the synonymy to equivalence of conceptual meaning 
with differences in stylistic meaning, we can contrast conceptual meaning with 
differences in stylistic meaning. It can be illustrated as given on the next page: 
(1)
Word
Status
 
(2) Word 
 
Status
steed
poetic

 

home
general

horse general
abode
poetic
nag
slang
residence
formal 
gee-gee 
baby language
domicile
official 
(3) Word 
 
Status
 
 (4) Word 
 
Status
cast
literary/ biblical 
small 
general
 
throw 
general
tiny 
colloquial 
chuck 
casual /slang 
diminutive 
normal 
The words enlisted in the four sets above are conceptual synonyms but stylistic 
variants. The status dimension of style is significantly important in distinguishing 
synonymous expressions.