Toward an explanation of speech style

Abstract The study focuses on the formulation of ideas as a contribution to the explanatory theory of speech style. Ideas relate to the ontological basis of style, the fundamental role of sociocultural meanings, the rationality of stylistic knowledge, and the deep motivation of stylistically relevant linguistic behavior and action in social interaction. The author approaches style from a holistic position based on the belief that speech style is integrated into the ways of human activity as a whole controlled by a pragmatic subject. In the center of attention is the subject of style, who discovered sociocultural meanings tied to the ways of activities, developed the ability of stylistic adaptation to current conditions of social interaction, and learned to deal with stylistic knowledge with appropriate rationality in communication practice. The author also answers the question of what laws and principles underlie the existence of style, its subject and stylistic behavior and actions.