Verbs of speaking, that is, those that indicate the process of oral transmission of information, are many. This is due to the fact that speech is the main way people communicate with each other.
Accordingly, this action can have a variety of shades and features. Therefore, for each type of speech, people came up with their own verb of speaking.
Features
The famous philologist V.I. Kodukhov devoted several of his scientific works to verbs of speaking. He claims that this is the largest group among the words denoting action. Most often they are used to transmit indirect speech. Such words tell the reader or listener information about the intonation features of pronunciation (bass, squealing, and so on), the volume of the voice (whispering, screaming, and so on).
From them you can guess about the situation in which the action takes place. If, for example, a person pronounces words quickly, then there are most likely certain reasons for this.
Classification
Many scholars have proposed options for dividing such words into groups. The classification below is the most common variant in the literature.
1. Verbs describing the fact of pronunciation of words in general terms. These include the words “speak,” “say,” “tell,” “tell,” and many others.
2. Verbs indicating the features of speech. They indicate the characteristics of the speech of a person. For example: "whisper", "scream", "yell" and the like.
Encountering such words in the text, the reader imagines a special manner of speech.
3. Words indicating the place of the remark in the dialogue, monologue, and so on. In Russian, verbs of speaking of this kind are more likely to refer to “book” styles (scientific, artistic, and so on). The words “answer”, “ask”, “add”, “continue”, “finish” and so on can be added to this subgroup.
4. Verbs of speaking, indicating the place of the remark in the dialogue and indicating certain features of the content of the spoken text. These include the words “ask,” “answer,” “object,” “confirm,” and a number of others.
Close in value
Examples of verbs of speaking can be found among words that at first glance are not related to them.
For example, the fact of transmitting textual information is often expressed using lexical units such as “wire”, “call” and the like.
Successful replacement
There are frequent cases when another word is used instead of the verb of speaking. Most often this happens in order to convey the state in which the speaker is. An example can be found in the sentence below.
He hurried: "Speak faster! I'm late for the lesson." The verb "in a hurry" is used here to mean "quickly pronounce the words."
The verb denoting the emotions of a person during the pronunciation of the text should also be attributed to the same species. Often you can find expressions like: "He smiled:" Everything will be fine! "
A similar proposal can be made with verbs: "smiled", "frowned", "rejoiced", "thoughtful" and others.
General characteristics of verbs of speaking
Different scientists approached the issue of defining this term in their own way. Many Russian philologists have suggested that only those words that directly indicate the process of speech can be attributed to this category. The description of the various nuances of this action is not directly related to verbs of speaking.
Information about other details of the communication process can be obtained through other words or lexical constructions.
Two tasks that these scientists set themselves:
1. Consider the connection of verbs of speaking with other parts of speech.
2. To determine how the meaning of the words expressing the process of information transfer changes, depending on the structures in which they are included. It should be added that adherents of this theory call the verbs of speaking those lexical units that, regardless of context, are always used in the meaning of "speak." These philologists also recognize the possibility of additional meanings and shades.
Fiction
Verbs of speaking are often mentioned in works devoted to the analysis of means of artistic expression in various works of Russian and world literature.
Often, we enumerate all the verbs we are considering that are present in a particular book, as well as calculate the amount of use of each of them. The predominance of the "neutral" group can be considered a sign of a special author's style. Most often, such a choice of words suggests that the writer sought to give his work great swiftness, dynamism, without dwelling on minor details. The same technique can also serve to convey to the text more seriousness, scientificness, or, conversely, ease.
A similar analysis of the novel "Gadfly" by the English writer E. Voynich was carried out. It most often occurs in neutral verbs of speaking. This creates the effect of an unemotional, unbiased description of events. This style of presentation is characteristic of historical novels. Through the use of certain words when describing the speech of characters, one can also trace the narrator’s attitude to the heroes. Words help to reveal the character of the character.
Competent use
Specialists in the field of the Russian language often speak of numerous cases of stylistic errors associated with the use of synonyms for the word "said." In the media, the word "stated" has recently gained great popularity. But if you turn to his definitions, you can find the following: you can say either by making an official speech, expressing an opinion that is documented, or pronouncing phrases with a high degree of emotionality.
Insidious synonyms
At first glance, the verbs of speaking cannot cause any difficulties for the speaker. But it is not so. These words are synonyms, but contextual. This means that the appropriateness of their use depends on the specific situation. It is also worth paying attention to their compatibility with other words. For example, using the verb "shared" in the meaning of "said", you need to remember that this way you can describe not any speech, but only one in which someone speaks about his innermost thoughts or plans for the future. The verb "ask a question" can also be attributed to the category of words to which this article is devoted. He does not directly describe the process of speaking, but is closely connected with it.
As you know, text and speech information can be perceived and transmitted in different ways, with the participation of all senses. Therefore, in a certain context, such words and phrases as “asked a question”, “think”, “consider”, can also indirectly be associated with speech. For example, the sentence "They considered the issue of allocating funds for the development of culture" describes a situation when a group of people together makes a certain decision. This means that speech is undoubtedly involved in this process.
In conclusion
This article was devoted to the topic of verbs of speaking in Russian. It can be useful to a wide range of readers - from students of language universities to people whose professional activity is associated with frequent writing of texts. However, one should have an idea of the correct use of verbs of speaking not only for professionals, but also for all people who speak Russian.