A stylistic analysis of administrative English through a qualitative and quantitative investigation of government information leaflets
Previous work in stylistics has concentrated a great deal on theory to the exclusion of practical investigation of styles. The practical investigations deal with Newspapers or Advertising copy. No thorough stylistic analysis has been made of Administrative English. A qualitative analysis of Government Information leaflets, reveals that they are stylistically distinct at all linguistic levels, but that two different types of text emerge, closely linked to the means by which the reader is addressed either personally as 'you' (P.A.) or impersonally as for example in 'the claimant (I.A.). A subsequent quantitative analysis of a selection of the most prominent stylistic features of Government Information Leaflets and their comparison with the leaflets published by financial institutions reveals that whilst most of the variables chosen are stylistic, there is little evidence to assume a single Administrative variety. Checks on the relationship between supposed style categories and the individual texts assigned to than are shown by a Cluster Analysis to be very accurate. Patterning of variables is revealed around 2 stylistic dimensions: Status and Mbdality. leaflets are distinguished from P.A. largely by Status variables.
Ward, R. J.
Language style
A stylistic analysis of administrative English through a qualitative and quantitative investigation of government information leaflets. Previous work in stylistics has concentrated a great deal on theory to the exclusion of practical investigation of styles. The practical investigations deal with Newspapers or Advertising copy. No thorough stylistic analysis has been made of Administrative English. A qualitative analysis of Government Information leaflets, reveals that they are stylistically distinct at all linguistic levels, but that two different types of text emerge, closely linked to the means by which the reader is addressed either personally as 'you' (P.A.) or impersonally as for example in 'the claimant (I.A.). A subsequent quantitative analysis of a selection of the most prominent stylistic features of Government Information Leaflets and their comparison with the leaflets published by financial institutions reveals that whilst most of the variables chosen are stylistic, there is little evidence to assume a single Administrative variety. Checks on the relationship between supposed style categories and the individual texts assigned to than are shown by a Cluster Analysis to be very accurate. Patterning of variables is revealed around 2 stylistic dimensions: Status and Mbdality. leaflets are distinguished from P.A. largely by Status variables.
stylistic_analysis administrative english qualitative_quantitative investigation government information previous_work stylistics concentrate great_deal theory exclusion practical investigation style practical investigation deal newspapers advertising copy thorough stylistic_analysis make administrative english qualitative_analysis government information reveals stylistically distinct linguistic level two_different type text emerge closely_link mean reader address either personally you example the subsequent quantitative_analysis selection prominent stylistic feature government information comparison publish financial institution reveals whilst variable choose stylistic little_evidence assume single administrative variety relationship suppose style category individual text assign show cluster_analysis accurate patterning variable reveal stylistic dimension status distinguish largely status variable