LANGUAGE PLAY AND ITS FUNCTIONS IN CHILDREN’S FICTION

Abstract

Language play in fiction can be used as a means to attract readers’ attention and as such, language play is a means of foregrounding. The readers can notice and feel that the parts containing language play stand out more, which makes them more special compared with the other parts. The research belongs to Stylistics, a study of style. It focuses on the various linguistic forms of language play found in Roald Dahl’s The Witches. This research investigates the different types of language play that occur in children’s fiction. These types will be classified in terms of Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, and Semantics. Furthermore, the research will also discuss the literal and contextual meaning of language play as well as its functions. There are some findings resulted from the research. Language play in children’s fiction, as shown in this particular novel, is basically an exploitation of repetition and deviation. The function of language play is mostly to entertain the readers as it builds humor and creates aesthetics.