On the choice of linguistic variants in semiformal belarusian speech (based on the recordings in Chocimsk)
The article analyses the semiformal speech of Chocimsk residents within the variationist paradigm. The use by informants of particular variant of certain linguistic variables is considered in view of external (stylistic) factors of communication, such as subject and nature of the conversation, its members, and specific communicative goals of speakers. The effect of changes in the character of the communicative situation on the speech behavior of informants (friendly communication with colleagues in the workplace, compared with a family communication) is studied. The nature of the use by informants of atypical variants in two parts of the material is compared; in particular, the dependence of such use on the same stylistic factors is analyzed. The obtained results suggest the presence of regularities in the use by informants of atypical variants.