This is the first book-length study of how point of view is manifested linguistically in dramatic texts. It examines such issues as how readers process the shifts in viewpoint that can occur within such texts. Using insights from cognitive linguistics, the book aims to explain how the analysis of… read more
In recognition of Paul Simpson’s commitment to the application of critical and non-critical methods of stylistics and discourse analysis to non-literary texts, in this chapter Dan McIntyre offers an analysis of a conversation between Mission Control and the astronauts who landed on the moon and… read more
In this chapter I analyse the lyrics to “Swansong”, a relatively obscure song by the comedy duo Kit Hesketh-Harvey (1957–2023) and Richard Sissons, known professionally as Kit and the Widow. “Swansong” is a sombre reflection on the impact of humans on the natural world, and ends with a challenge… read more
This article uses Text World Theory (Werth 1999; Gavins 2007) in conjunction with VUE (Visual Understanding Environment) concept mapping software to analyze three statements from the trial of Amanda Knox, who was charged (along with her boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito) with the murder of Meredith… read more
This chapter explore Louw’s (1993) claim that from conventionalised semantic prosodies can be indicative of irony. Taking account of criticisms of the concept of semantic prosody, I analyse a short extract from a sketch from the 1960 satirical revue Beyond the Fringe. I argue that the in the… read more
This chapter examines how the emotion fear is generated through the linguistic, paralinguistic and kinesic actions of multiple characters in the “funny guy” scene from Martin Scorsese’s 1990 film Goodfellas. The scene in question takes place in The Bamboo Lounge restaurant-bar and features Tommy, a… read more
In this article we investigate keywords and key semantic domains in Fleming’s Casino Royale. We identify groups of keywords that describe elements of the fictional world such as characters and settings as well as thematic signals. The keyword groups fall into two broad categories that are… read more
In this article we report on a pilot project investigating the presentation of speech, writing and thought in Early Modern English prose fiction and news writing. The aim of the project is to determine whether discourse presentation changes diachronically and what the function of the various… read more
