Narrative Function of Language in Terry Pratchett's 'The Wee Free Men'

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  • Author(s): Ondrušeková, Judita
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    NORDSCI. 2019.
  • Publication Date:
    2019
  • Document Type:
    Speeches/Meeting Papers
    Reports - Evaluative
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      NORDSCI. e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.nordsci.org
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      8
    • Subject Terms:
      Sociolinguistics; Nonstandard Dialects; English; Stereotypes; Literary Devices; Literary Criticism; Social Structure; Social Class; Nontraditional Education; Family Relationship; Fantasy; Language Usage; Language Variation; Dialects; Grammar; Sentence Structure; Phrase Structure; Reader Text Relationship; Race; Foreign Countries; Novels; Cartoons; Childrens Literature; Authors
    • Subject Terms:
      United Kingdom; United Kingdom (Scotland)
    • Abstract:
      This article will focus on sociolinguistic aspects in Terry Pratchett's "The Wee Free Men." In particular we will deal with the interplay of standard and non-standard British English by which the writer highlights cultural stereotypes as well as narrative ones; creating a children's tale with a distinctively adult-like character set. Pratchett uses Tiffany Aching to explore the topics of non-traditional education, family dynamics and social hierarchies in a fantasy setting. By combining the mundane coming-of-age story with a fantastic adventure, he contrasts the escapist nature of a fantasy narrative with the inevitable growth of responsibility. The paper aims to explore the usage of non-standard language and its effects on the narrative and character components; the reader's reception of this usage is an important factor in the communicative channel formed between the reader and the author. From regional varieties, this work uses Scottish dialect, but Pratchett mixes in some of his own creations, such as the Toad dialect. The author also uses grammatically incorrect phrases or sentences. Therefore, this paper will analyze the instances where Pratchett used non-standard British English and determine their narrative function. Furthermore, it will illustrate the importance of dialects which are viewed as separate languages of fantastic races. [For "NORDSCI International Conference Proceedings: Education and Language Edition (Athens, Greece, August 19, 2019). Book 1. Volume 2," see ED603411.]
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2020
    • Accession Number:
      ED603463