Journal of Academic Research for Humanities (JARH) is a double-blind peer-review, Open Free Access, online Multidisciplinary Research Journal
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Vol. 4 No. 3 (2024)
The International "Journal of Academic Research for Humanities"

Review Articles

Crafting Meaning: Stylistic Analysis of Octavia Butler’s Speech Sounds

Published 13-07-2024

  • Emaan Khalil
    • ,
  • Dr. Sabeen
    • ,
  • Javeria Ashfaq Bhatti

Emaan Khalil
Department of English, Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan

Dr. Sabeen
Assistant Professor, Department of English, Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan

Javeria Ashfaq Bhatti
Department of English, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

The present study presents a detailed stylistic analysis of the short story “Speech Sounds” by Octavia Butler focusing on how various linguistic techniques are employed to convey certain themes through the narrative. It uses Simpson and Levenston’s model of modal systems for stylistic analysis of the story. It involves investigating the use of modal verbs, auxiliaries, modal adverbs, lexical-modal auxiliaries, and punctuations in the short story to identify the author's distinct style in building her characteristic narrative and imparting main themes. A mixed method approach is used for textual and content analysis of the text respectively, enhancing the depth and breadth of understanding in research. The analysis highlights how the author's stylistic choices enhance the story's emotional impact and thematic depth. The findings of the application of the Simpson model show that owing to a high occurrence of an epistemic modal system, the narrative attains a negative shade. The narrator appears to lack confidence in comprehending the situations and ongoing events and seems to depend on situations external to the story world. The stylistic analysis of linguistic items including vocabulary and punctuation has helped explore how recent literary devices such as polysyndeton, asyndeton, and hypophora contribute to building the narrative of the story. The study concludes that writers may use different linguistic techniques to convey the desired themes. The study enriches the academic discourse on Butler’s works. It also reveals how linguistic choices shape readers' perceptions, affirming the value of stylistic scrutiny in revealing nuanced layers of meaning within texts.

Keywords

Stylistic, , Simpson, , Levenston, , literary, , Speech

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Author Biography

Emaan Khalil

Ms. Emaan has recently completed BS in English linguistics from the Institue of Management Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Dr. Sabeen

Dr Sabeen is a lecturer of linguistics at the Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan. 

Javeria Ashfaq Bhatti

Dr Javeria Ashfaq Bhatti is an Assistant Professor of English linguistics at the Department of English, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan.

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