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Article published In: International Journal of Corpus Linguistics
Vol. 30:4 (2025) ► pp.499–529

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Exploring the ‘language of intimacy’ in English and French romance novels by means of a corpus-driven approach

ORCiD logo with link | University of Grenoble Alpes
ORCiD logo with link | University of Grenoble Alpes
ORCiD logo with link | University of Bonn
Published online: 17 October 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ijcl.23150.nov
Abstract
Subgenres of the novel have traditionally been defined first and foremost in terms of their content. Yet, in addition to revisiting themes, settings, plot patterns and character constellations, popular fiction — i.e. genres such as fantasy, science fiction and romance novels — in particular also tends to feature recurring linguistic patterns. These can be revealed by a corpus-driven approach that identifies statistically significant recurring lexico-syntactic constructions, which give rise to phraseological motifs. This article exemplifies what corpus-driven approaches can contribute to genre theory by drawing upon corpora of English and French romance fiction. A corpus-driven approach makes it possible to identify characteristics of a genre-specific ‘language of intimacy’ as well as stylistic differences between English and French romance novels.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The genre of romance fiction and the concept of the phraseological motif
    • 2.1Romance fiction: A formulaic genre
    • 2.2The notion of the phraseological motif in corpus-driven analyses of literary (sub)genres
  • 3.Corpora and methodology
  • 4.Findings
    • 4.1Expressions referring to physical intimacy
      • 4.1.1To have sex|to make love|faire l’amour + ADV
      • 4.1.2V_affect, modal, aspectual, movement + to have sex|to make love|faire l’amour
    • 4.2Expression of affects
      • 4.2.1être fou de [be mad with| with]+ Naffect (rage, joie [joy])
      • 4.2.2Feel a N1 stab|wave… of + N2affect
    • 4.3Expressions referring to ‘gestures of love’
      • 4.3.1Contact verbs + body part
      • 4.3.2The RLCs take her in his arms|put his arms around her vs. prendre|serrer qn dans ses bras
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
References (56)
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