Abstract

The paper is a comparative study on phraseology between formal English and informal English. This research is designed to compare the characteristics of phraseology with different formality in specialization of grammatical, lexicological, sentence structural, metaphorical differences and summarize what factors causing the effects of formality degrees. It begins with an introduction part in which the reason why the author intends to compare formal English and informal English, and takes Downton Abbey as a case to study is presented. In the second part the author explains the background of the teleplay, features of main characters with a focus on their wording style and social status. Then in the following part the author gives some definitions of formality and informality from the previous linguistic scholars, citing some examples from the lines of Downton Abbey and compare the use of formal language and informal language in four aspects. In the fourth part the author demonstrates the assumption with a combination of theories from previous linguistic scholars. In the fifth part, the author draws a conclusion to the effects of formality in phraseology. 

Key words: formal; informal; style; level; Downton Abbey; phraseology

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1.Introduction.1

1.1Research background 1

1.2Research significance.1

1.3Research questions.2

2.Literature review 2

2.1An introduction to Downton Abbey  .2

2.1.1Background2

2.1.2Main characters2

2.2A comparative study of phraseology in formal English and informal English .4

2.3The previous study abroad.5

2.4The previous study in China6

2.5My understanding in the comparative study of phraseology between formal English and informal English in Downton Abbey7

3.A comparison in phraseology7

3.1Use of formal English7

3.1.1Addressing.8

3.1.2Grammar8

3.2Use of informal English.9

3.2.1Addressing.9

3.2.2Grammar10

3.3Grammatical comparison.10

3.4Metaphorical comparison.10

3.5Lexical comparison12

4.Effects of formality.13

5.Conclusion13

5.1significant finding of the research.13

5.2application of the research to the study of literary works14

5.3limitations of the research15

5.4expectations on the future research15

6.Reference16