The first reference to speech personality was made by L.Weisgerber. In Russian linguistics the term was introduced in the early 30s by V.V.Vinogradov.

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The notion of speech personality

The first reference to speech personality was made by L.Weisgerber. In Russian linguistics the term was introduced in the early 30’s by V.V.Vinogradov.  In the same period such question was discussed by Humboldtians (L. Weisgerber). Later the notion of “speech personality” was investigated by a range of prominent scholars, such as Yu.N. Karaulov, V.I. Karasik, O.B. Sirotinina and others.  Besides, this problem is interdisciplinary, since it covers the areas traditionally studied not only by linguists, but also by psychologists and psycholinguists.

       Yu. Karaulov in his monograph Russian Language and Language Personality elaborated his own original methodology of reconstructing speech personality, which he defines as “a personality expressed in the language and through the language; it is a combination of abilities and characteristics of a person that stipulates production of speech texts that differ in: a) degree of linguo-structural complexity; b) depth and accuracy of reproducing reality; c) certain purposeful direction.” (Tr. V.T.) [1; p.3]

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        He worked out the structure of speech personality which consists of three levels:

  1. Zero level – verbally semantic level or lexicon. This level represents :

- units: readiness to nomination, word choice, using another language’s lexis, having working knowledge of special terminology;

- verbal grid: ability to perceive grammar structures, oral and written speech, right spelling;

- stereotypes: everyday speech, readiness to monolog, patterns and cliches.

               2) First level – linguo-cognitive level, represented by a thesaurus of speech personality:

- units: ideas and concepts which are combined ...

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