Official business style of speech. Official business style and its features

Today, the relevance of studying and applying this concept is difficult to overestimate. The role of business etiquette is important in the life of each specific organization, and is also of great importance in international level. Competent ownership business style increases a person’s status and authority, opening up new career and personal prospects. It can be described as a formula for success, the result of which is influenced by a person’s speech, behavior and dress code.

Definition and origins of business style in speech

Business style in speech is a set of linguistic and other means that can be used in the field of official communications. Such relationships can arise between people, organizations and states. This format of communication has its roots in antiquity. In the era Kyiv State documents began to appear that had legal force. Among other book styles, origins business style originated already in the 10th century. To this day, it is used to draw up legislative documents, orders, agreements, and in official correspondence.

Formal business style- a functional variety of language characterized by stability and standardization. It does not allow ambiguous and poorly structured sentences and phrases. Words are used exclusively in direct meaning. Examples of this style include reports by figures at ceremonial and official meetings and sessions. It is also used in the working atmosphere at meetings, presentations, and meetings.

Forms of manifestation of business style

The official format finds its application in writing, oral transmission of information, wardrobe. The way of dressing is peculiar business card a person, whether he is in the presidency, manages a company or performs ordinary functions in it. In addition to the first impression, clothes can have psychological impact on interlocutors. Business style clothing requires increased attention.

Corporate manners are manifested in human behavior. Components: the ability to remain calm and behave with dignity in an unusual situation, the will to act, the willingness to take responsibility, not be afraid to show flexibility, and be objective. Business style of behavior obeys certain: common sense, ethics, expediency, conservatism, efficiency and others.

Business speaking style

Company dress code and its functions

Every serious company has its own dress code. It helps to unify appearance employees, and also maintain the company's image. has a positive effect on the company's reputation and creates a general impression of it in the eyes of clients. Each employee should have at least four suits in their wardrobe, which should be changed periodically. Wearing the same suit for two or more days in a row is not recommended.

In some large companies are spelled out specific and quite strict requirements. The dress code in the contract with the employee is given several pages with detailed description clothing and the materials from which it should be made. Compared to foreign companies, in the CIS countries they are more loyal to the uniform of employees. Separate requirements are established for mandatory business style for negotiations, presentations or off-site meetings. Friday is considered a “no tie day” if there are no important meetings scheduled for that day.

The introduction of a dress code affects not only the overall corporate culture. A tasteful wardrobe makes an employee more disciplined. He feels the personal responsibility that is entrusted to him when... Such people are more likely to succeed in negotiations.

The importance of maintaining a business style in business

In the world of business, it is extremely important to adhere to a certain set of rules and norms that dictate the manner of conversation and behavior in different situations. By adhering to these requirements, you can count on an effective meeting, negotiations, and signing of a contract. Even a dinner or meeting without ties should be held in an appropriate manner.

Maintaining business style is not something unattainable for beginners. Everyone can learn the basic principles according to which a meeting, conversation, or presentation should take place. The theory has long defined the basic models of behavior and described important principles and norms. For example, at the first meeting, the acquaintance algorithm is as follows: greeting, introduction and exchange of business cards.

In practice, difficulties may arise, since everything requires experience. Don't be afraid of your own mistakes. It is considered good form to directly ask for advice from a more knowledgeable person. At the same time, you should maintain an acceptable distance, avoid familiarity in behavior and not ingratiate yourself with your interlocutor.

Business style standards for meetings without ties

At such meetings they do not decide important questions and documents are not signed. The informal atmosphere is conducive to discussing common prospects and plans for the future, casual conversations about family and hobbies. You can relax and step away from strict norms. Informal business attire allows you to wear more comfortable things. Whatever the free format of communication, the interlocutors must behave in a dignified and friendly manner in order to have a good time together.

Formal business style

General characteristics of the official - business style of speech.

Basic language features.

Brief description of substyles and genres.

The official business style serves the sphere of administrative and legal activities. It satisfies the need of society for documenting various acts of state, social, political, economic life, business relations between the state and organizations, as well as between members of society in the official sphere of communication. Genres perform informational, prescriptive, ascertaining functions in various spheres of business life.

General stylistic features of official business speech: 1) accuracy of presentation, not allowing the possibility of other interpretations, detail of presentation; 2) stereotyping, standard presentation; 3) obligatory-prescriptive nature.

2. Basic language features.

Vocabulary:

The official business style system consists of the following linguistic means:

Having the appropriate functional and stylistic coloring (vocabulary and phraseology), for example: plaintiff, defendant, protocol, job description, delivery, prepayment, identity card and etc.;

Neutral, interstyle, as well as general book language means;

Linguistic means that are neutral in color, but in terms of the degree of usage in the official business style, have become its “sign”, for example: raise a question, express disagreement;

There is a tendency to reduce the number of meanings of words, to make the words and phrases used unambiguously, and to terminology p eat. Texts of this style provide precise definitions or explanations of the terms used (terminological combinations) if they are not commonly used, for example: The short delivery was caused by force majeure (the access roads were washed away by heavy rains);

Many of the words have antonymous pairs: rights - obligations, acquittal - indictment, action - inaction; synonyms are rarely used and, as a rule, belong to the same style: supply = supply = provision; depreciation = depreciation; repayment = creditworthiness.

To convey the accuracy of the meaning and unambiguous interpretation, complex words formed from two or more words are used: tenant, employer, above, above mentioned

And stable combinations: tax return, destination, joint stock company. The uniformity of such phrases and their high repetition lead to the clichédness of the linguistic means used, which gives the texts of an official business style a standardized character;

Preference is given to generic concepts: arrive (to arrive, to arrive, to come), transport means (bus, plane, train), populated paragraph (city, village, town), etc., because officially business speech reflects social experience; the typical comes to the fore here to the detriment of the individual, peculiar, specific, since the legal essence is important for an official document.

Morphology:

The use of common nouns as proper names for the purpose of generalizing and standardizing the document: this Agreement, composition of the Contracting Parties;

Preferred use of prepositional - case forms of verbal nouns: based on, in relation to, by virtue of;

Many verbs contain the theme of prescription or obligation: prohibit, allow, oblige, indicate, assign and under.;

The verb form does not denote a permanent or ordinary action, but an action that is prescribed by law under certain conditions: The accused is guaranteed the right to defense;

When naming a person, nouns are most often used, denoting a person on the basis of an action or relationship, which is intended to accurately indicate the “roles” of the participants in the situation: applicant, tenant, tenant, executor, guardian, adoptive parent, witness, etc.

Nouns denoting positions and titles are used in the form male and in the case when they relate to female persons: police officer Smirnova, defendant Proshina, etc..

The use of verbal nouns and participles is typical: arrival of transport, filing claims, serving the population, replenishing the budget; given, indicated, assigned.

Syntax:

Phrases including complex denominative prepositions: in part, along the line, on the subject, in order to avoid, and also with the pretext By And prepositional case, expressing a temporary value: upon return, upon reaching;

Use of complex syntactic structures, impersonal and incomplete sentences: Listened..., Decided...;

Clichéd phrases: Please accept me for a position... in a department... at a rate... with....

Business speech is characterized by impersonal presentation and lack of evaluation. There is an unhindered statement, a presentation of facts in a logical sequence.

So, accuracy, unambiguity and standardization of the means used are the main features of the official business style of speech.

2. Brief description of substyles.

Diplomatic substyle found in diplomatic documents: diplomatic note, government statement, credentials. It is distinguished by specific terms, most of which are international: status quo, persona non grata, ratification, preamble etc. Unlike other substyles, in the language of diplomatic documents there is a high, solemn vocabulary to give the document emphasized significance, and etiquette formulas of politeness are also used in international public communication: I ask you, Mr. Ambassador, to accept the assurances of my highest respect... or The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pays its respects... .

Communiqué– official communication about important events for the state.

Convention – international treaty, agreement on any issue.

Memorandum– 1) memorandum, official certificate on any issue; 2) a document outlining the essence of the issue being discussed in diplomatic correspondence; 3) a letter with a reminder of something; 4) a list of circumstances in the insurance policy that are not covered by insurance.

Note- an official diplomatic written statement from one state to another.

Legislative (documentary) substyle is the language of legislative documents related to the activities of official bodies. It is characterized by the vocabulary and phraseology of civil and criminal law, various acts, codes and other documents serving the official and documentary activities of state and public organizations, as well as citizens as officials.

Constitution- the fundamental law of the state, establishing the foundations of the political and social structure.

Law- an official state document regulating any area of ​​public life and intended to be observed by all residents of the state.

Decree- an official government document prescribing the implementation, creation, etc. anything at the state level.

Charter- an official internal legislative document establishing standards of conduct, business communication, rights and obligations of members of any society, work collective, etc.

Stationery substyle found in business correspondence between institutions and organizations and in private business papers. In this substyle, the rigor of document preparation is somewhat weakened, business letters and other papers can be written in any form.

Power of attorney- a personal business document that entrusts something to someone.

Agreement– a written or oral agreement about future actions or mutual obligations that is accepted by two or more persons, enterprises, states, etc.

Statement- a business paper containing a request (to issue or allocate something, to accept somewhere) to a superior person or to a higher authority.

Order- an official business document containing an order from management.

Protocol– 1) a document containing a record of any factual circumstances, official statements (at a meeting, court, interrogation, etc.); 2) an act of a commission or official containing a description of the actions performed and the facts established.

Receipt- a business paper of a personal nature, which is drawn up by a person who takes something for temporary use from someone.

Agreement- an official agreement about something with someone.

Negotiation– a type of business conversation that involves an official meeting of representatives of enterprises, various organizations, etc. with the aim of making or developing mutually beneficial decisions.

Formal business style serves purely official human relationships.
This is a relationship between countries; state power and the population; between organizations, enterprises, institutions; between society and the individual; between various organizations and human.

Formal business style can be divided into two varieties - two substyles:

a) official document, that is, the language of diplomacy, laws: a diplomatic appeal from one government to another, an international treaty, an official message, mainly on issues of an international nature, a law, a charter, a diplomatic document with a detailed statement of the government’s views on some issue, an official message, civil act, and others;

b) everyday business, that is, clerical (order, instruction, official correspondence, business papers: characterization, statement, autobiography, receipt, power of attorney, report, certificate, protocol, memorandum and others).

The main, defining feature of such a text, the dominant feature of the official business style in general, is extreme accuracy, which does not allow for other interpretations. This determines such features of style as strict tonality and standard means of expression.

In general, the official business style is characterized by stylistic uniformity and rigor, objectivity and partly impersonality of presentation. Emotionality, subjective assessment and conversation are contraindicated for him. Business texts are characterized by content completeness, accuracy, clarity, and cumbersome structures (due to the desire for accuracy). In this respect, business style approaches scientific style.

However, there is no identity between these styles. For business texts, these requirements, unlike scientific ones, are vital. Without them, a business text cannot become a document. Actually, a document then becomes a document when it is drawn up and certified in a certain, standard form. It is no coincidence that special forms, forms, etc. are so widely used in business communication.

Language level: Vocabulary

Language tool:
Common literary words that have received special meanings (names of persons according to their function; documents and their parts; designation of actions of officials, official procedures).
Example:
Plaintiff, defendant, investor, taxpayer, contractor, tenant, order, instruction, order, act, telephone message, personal account, agenda, listened, were present, I do not object, I approve, agreed.

Language tool:
Stationery (that is, words that are not used outside business style).
Example:
Proper, undersigned, above, named.

Language tool:
Low-frequency, often archaic (outdated) vocabulary used in diplomatic documents.
Example:
His Excellency, His Highness.

Language tool:
Compound words, graphic abbreviations with strictly established rules for their reduction.
Example:
Ministry of Energy, Technical Supervision, Rayfo, region. (region), head (Head), Corresponding Member (corresponding member), etc. (and so on), see (look).

Language tool:
Standard forms of document presentation (stamps).
Example:
Pay attention to; behind reporting period; for security purposes; in a spirit of mutual understanding; The following shortcomings are noted; contracting parties; bring to justice; listening and discussing; Based on the foregoing.

Language level: Morphology

Language tool:
The predominance of nouns (especially verbal ones, which often form phrases with incomplete verbs).
Example:
Execution, instruction, decision, acceptance, delivery; take part, have an application, express regret, influence.

Language tool:
Frequency of “stringing” genitive cases of dependent nouns (and adjectives).
Example:
The importance of strengthening the nonproliferation regime nuclear weapons; sanitary maintenance of the common property of a residential building of the municipal housing stock.

Language tool:
Almost complete absence of personal pronouns of the 1st and 2nd persons and corresponding forms of the verb (the exception is statements, powers of attorney and other special documents, as well as orders where the form is used - I order).
Example:
I, Yulia Nikiforovna Ivanova, trust Nonna Ivanovna Ivanova... to receive my scholarship...; Please excuse me from classes...

Language tool:
The frequency of verbs in the indefinite form, as well as the predominance of present tense forms with the meaning of obligation and prescription.
Example:
Enroll, appoint, dismiss, it is recommended to retain, approve the initiative, should be considered.

Language tool:
Using masculine forms when naming women by profession.
Example:
Teacher A.S. Bobnovskaya, section chief U.F. Bablova.

Language tool:
Replacing simple prepositions (because, by, etc.) with nominal ones.
Example:
Due to a shortage of food, due to the beginning of the heating season, according to the order.

Language tool:
Mandatory use capital letter in personal and possessive pronoun.
Example:
I ask for your consent, I am making a request to you.

Language level: Syntax

Language tool:
Using complex syntactic structures with a large number isolated and clarifying phrases, homogeneous members, introductory and plug-in constructions.
Example:
I, Petrova Natalya Rustamovna, 2nd year student of the Faculty of Philology of Moscow state university, I trust Inna Petrovna Nabieva, who lives at the address: Moscow, st. Stavropolskaya, 1, apt. 4; passport: series 33 11, No. 123431, issued by the Komsomolsky Department of Internal Affairs of Krasnodar on May 3, 2003, receive my scholarship in the amount of 1200 (one thousand two hundred) rubles.

Language tool:
Widely used impersonal offers with the meaning of prescription, order, necessity.
Example:
It is necessary to improve, provide a certificate, entrust it to the headman, consider it necessary, strengthen control.

Language tool:
Lack of replacement of a noun with a pronoun and, accordingly, repetition of nouns and phrases.

Example:
The appearance of the defendant is mandatory and the hearing of the case in the absence of the defendant is allowed only:
1) with the express consent of the defendant;
2) if it is proven that the defendant has evaded serving a summons to appear in court or is hiding from court.

Business style - what is it?

Business style- one of functional styles a language that “serves” the sphere of official business relations.

Business style is standardization, information content, logic and etiquette.

Business style is:

1) actually formal business style(or, as it is often called, clerical);

2) legal style(language of laws, legislative and by-laws);

3) diplomatic style.

Business style is used in business communication situations:

• organization - organization (business letter);
• person – organization (application, resume);
• organization – person (order, job description).

The communication situation determines the genre of the business document. The content of a particular document covers a variety of business circumstances, but the document does not correspond to each individual circumstance, but to the standard situation as a whole. Therefore, a standardized (corresponding to a single sample) document form and a standardized document language are selected.

From a formal point of view, a document is a set of details (elements of content).

What is standardization?

There are three types of standardization:

First type - sample-matrix. It is characterized by the fixity of three parameters of the text: a set of details, their sequence, and their spatial arrangement. Passport, ballot paper, tax return- this is a matrix.

Second type - sample model. It has a greater level of flexibility compared to the matrix sample. The wording may be more free, the spatial arrangement of details may not be strict. The application, power of attorney, and resume are written according to the model.

Third type - sample diagram. This is the least rigid type of document organization, characterized by only one parameter of fixation of a set of details (elements of content). The explanatory note is built according to the scheme.

With the transition to a more flexible design and the complexity of the content, the range of search and the possibility of choosing linguistic means to convey the specific circumstances of an official business speech situation increases.

What is information content?

Document – ​​business paper that has legal force. A document always requires detailed and complete presentation so that the business situation is restored to the reader in all details and becomes clear to him.

Information content is:

• use of stylistically neutral and bookish elements;
• lack of expressively colored vocabulary and interjections;
• unambiguousness of what was said (written).

In business speech, the use of personal pronouns (he, she, they, it) is avoided, since their use in context may contradict the requirements for accuracy and clarity of presentation. Business speech is characterized by the use of terms and close to unambiguous special words of the language, for example: decree, resolution(in stationery style), show someone deep respect(in diplomatic style).

What is logic?

Logical and well-reasoned presentation in business speech is:

• correct use of complex subordinate sentences with conjunctions conveying logical relationships (causes, consequences, conditions);
• correct use of all kinds of clarifications, participial phrases, plug-in structures;

development of semantic relationships using complex conjunctions and prepositions ( due to the fact that; on the subject of what and so on.).

The Russian language allows you to express your thoughts in five different languages, each of which is characterized by something special and is used in a specific field of activity. In administrative and public - a formal business style of speech is used, which is used both in written and oral form.

In contact with

Peculiarities

This style has pronounced characteristic features , which are clearly visible in the morphology and syntax of the texts. Style features the following:

Concerning lexical features, then there are only three of them:

1. A certain set of lexical phrases and the use of official words: I prescribe, authorize, notify, plaintiff, law, etc.
2. Dry vocabulary, full of purely clerical expressions: there is a place to be, etc.
3. Use of stable phrases: based on, taking into account, etc.

Important! Despite the necessary impersonality, these texts allow the use of first-person verbs and pronouns.

Syntactic constructions- these are the signs that easily allow the reader to determine the type of presentation. This type of text has several characteristic syntactic features:

1. Availability of small structures – simple sentences, absence of homogeneous sentence parts or introductory words.
2. High structural standardization – each type of document has its own structural features. Thus, all statements begin with a stamp at the top of the sheet, and all protocols are characterized by signatures at the end of the document.

This form of presentation of thoughts is quite actively used in different areas life activity. Everyone should be able to use it, since any relationship with organizations occur in business language.

Usage

The scope of application is extremely narrow, and at the same time quite broad. Examples of text of this nature are often found in government organizations and are divided into:

1. Legislative level – legislative documents, official papers, charters, rules.
2. Everyday business level - official correspondence, private office work.

Both types are used in different fields:

• jurisprudence;
• economics;
• politics;
• business;
• international relations;
• marketing.

An example of official business style documents is official and official papers, starting with explanatory notes and ending with the Constitution.

Cliche

As in any other official business text There are some clichés. Usually, the use of such stamps is considered unacceptable and negative.

Cliches are words that are overused and have an uncertain meaning (defined, therefore, to some), deforming the meaning, or losing it in the abundance of unnecessary phrases altogether.

Despite negative meaning cliches, they can and should be used in business conversations and papers. It was stated above that business speech uses standards as the main means of language. The presence of a certain standard or stamp at times simplifies creation and filling all questionnaires, forms and other documents.

Important! It is unacceptable to freely express your thoughts in such forms: the secretary cannot answer in business correspondence “We are waiting for an answer, like the nightingale of summer” - this is unacceptable.

Official speech, standard situations - all this determines the nature and purpose of such documents, as well as their clear structure and arrangement of all elements of the sentence. The following are not allowed:

• conversational elements;
• poeticisms;
• archaisms;
• emotional words and colors;
• artistic elements: hyperbole, metaphors, etc.;

Any text in this category that is correctly constructed in terms of grammar and vocabulary is correct and fully complies with the requirements of an official business style of speech. And if it contains the above elements, even with the correct structure, it is perceived as incorrect. Standardity in this type of speech is a lexical feature and has its own markers, for example:

• to fine;
• declare gratitude;
• call to account;
• make an argument;
• be responsible;
• notification of delivery.

Thus, cliches in general are a negative phenomenon, but their use in this category acceptable and even encouraged.

However, there is another side to the excessive use of bureaucratic language - texts must convey information, despite the use of many clichés.

Therefore, you should carefully proofread all papers to ensure that the recipient and reader get the necessary information load from them.

Style text analysis

Any text is subject to analysis to determine the style to which it belongs and other features. Examples of text can be found in legislation, legal notices and other official documents. To determine the style, you need analyze the text:

Identify style features:

• accurate presentation of information and detailed;
• rigor of composition;
• lack of expression and emotion.

Lexical features:

• use of special terminology;
• abundance of bureaucracy (taking into account, they have the right);
• words of necessity and obligation.

Morphological features:

• use of verbs in the present tense;
• frequent use of verbal nouns;
• naming people based on action.

Syntactic:

• high frequency of homogeneous members;
• presence of complicated sentences;
• frequent use of the genitive;
• use of passive and impersonal constructions;
• the presence of simple unemotional sentences;
• direct word order.

If all these features are found in the text, then it belongs to the official business style. Examples of texts of this kind are found in educational literature, stationery and personal documents. For example, an autobiography is often written in similar language, and when writing it, certain rules should be followed:

1. Text structure: each important date begins with a paragraph and is followed by a new paragraph; the date is always indicated at the end of the document.
2. Strict adherence to chronological sequence, starting with birth and ending last year Before the document is written, illogical transitions are not allowed.
3. Conciseness: the autobiography should not be written on more than 2-3 pages.
4. A statement of accurate, reliable facts that can always be confirmed with evidentiary papers.

When writing a biography It is allowed to use words from other styles, but the presence of clichés is welcome. You can often find autobiographies in full artistic style, but such a document is more like an autobiographical story than a dry statement of facts.

Dialogue

Oral speech can also be staged in a business style. Compliance with the clichés of the official style is also encouraged in dialogues, despite the fact that the usual arrangement of information on papers differs from oral speech.

She is usually full of emotion and quite asymmetrical. If oral speech emphatically logical, the communication environment is clearly official.

Main characteristics oral business communication is the flow of a conversation in a positive manner in the key of sympathy, respect or goodwill. Oral speech differs depending on the types of style:

• clerical and business - oral speech is filled with clericalism and clichés, but also allows the use of ordinary, non-business words;
• public administration - the use of phraseological units, anarchisms, slang expressions and other words not related to business style is unacceptable.

TO main features oral official speech includes:

• brevity;
• accuracy;
• influence;
• corresponding words;
• correctly composed structures;
• correct syntax;
• standardization of mentally prepared speech.

Oral business speech cannot be emotionally charged. A good example The following business dialogue can serve:

- Hello!

- Hello. How can I help you?

— I would like to submit my resume to your company.

- You have higher education?

— Yes, I graduated from the university with a course in Management.

— Are you familiar with our terms and conditions?

- Yes, in full.

- Fine. Then take your resume and other documents and come to the main office tomorrow at 9.00 for an interview. All the best!

- Thank you. Goodbye.

Official business style in Russian, examples where it is used

We study speech styles in Russian - official business style

Conclusion

Business speech may seem boring and dry at first glance, but when mastering it, it becomes clear that it is as rich as artistic speech, it’s just that the scope of its application requires certain conditions and rules, to which it corresponds. Formal business style is feature of the state and business sphere , and sooner or later you will have to learn to master it in order to become a full-fledged member of society.