Diatypic Variety And Its Functional Analysis In Discoursal Context

Diatypic variety or register refers to the fact that the language we speak or write varies according to the type of situation. It is an instance of language-in-action, and it is the meaning potential that is accessible in a given social context and the selection of meanings that constitutes the variety to which a text belongs. Thus the theory of diatypic variety is one of the important contents in discourse analysis, especially the attributes of its three variables, which correspond with the three metafunctions, and its functions and scope of application determine its significance in discourse analysis. This present paper mainly studies the relationships between diatypic variety and the three variables; the characteristics of diatypic variety; and its functional analysis in discoursal context and applications.As for the relationships between diatypic variety and the three variables, first, the present paper concerns with the effect field exerts on diatypic variety. Different fields can produce diatypic variety of different sciences or domains. Field, as the main determinant of diatypic variety, can often determine the characters of diatypic variety. Diatypic variety as text variety is 'embedded' in field. Tenor can also influence diatypic variety. The alteration of tenor often leads to that of diatypic variety. The present write holds the opinion that the concept of diatypic variety lies in the correlations between the five types of context of situation and the five types of style and further discusses the reciprocal relations among context, style and diatypic variety. Besides, different forms of mode are appropriate to different diatypic varieties distinguished by different channels, media or rhetorical manners.As for the characteristics of diatypic variety, the concentrations are focused on the following special features: co-occurrence restrictions; diatypic variety violation; diatypic variety variation; the simplified diatypic variety and its tautology.As for the functions and applications of diatypic variety, the present paper mainly analyses the predictive function of diatypic variety; its function reflecting culture; and its application in language teaching, translation and communication.