THE ARTISTIC STYLE
The formation of the artistic style (AS) in its modern outlines occurred at the turn of the XVIII and XIX centuries. as a result of N. M. Karamzin's language reform. A complete picture of AS has not yet developed, despite the presence of more or less detailed descriptions ofa number of particular phenomena. For the system representation of AS, the most appropriate is functional approach which involves identifying of: 1) the basic functions of the AS; 2) the means of their language implementation. The main function of the AS is pictorial, it is subordinated to: 1) artistic images that are created on the basis of descriptive vocabulary; 2) verbal images that arise as a result ofthe figurative use ofsuch vocabulary and serve to strengthen artistic images. The artistic representation of an object ispossiblenot only directly (through descriptions), but also indirectly - through mimesis, which is served by: 1) sound-writing, which creates sound images; 2) visual poetry, which creates graphic images; 3) stylization. The plan of expression of artistic speech is subordinated to the aesthetic function; this function is manifested if the adresant places value on the form of speech. The aesthetics of the form is achieved by using, in particular, the following tactics: 1) compliance with the rules of euphony; 2) the use of sound repetitions and rhythm. From the point of view of the functional approach, AS should be understood as a functional style that serves the verbal representation of reality in an aesthetically significant form; this definition reflects two system-forming functions of AS: pictorial and aesthetic. From these positions, the article critically analyzes the main concepts of AS that exist in the Russian scientific tradition.