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5. The role of dialogue in fiction

  • Monika Bednarek
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Pragmatics of Fiction
This chapter is in the book Pragmatics of Fiction

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the role of dialogue in fiction, using the example of dialogue in contemporary English-language television series. In so doing, it incorporates initial findings from a corpus linguistic research project into language use in American TV series. The chapter introduces the different functions of dialogue before surveying three key trends in pragma-stylistic research: the study of characterization, realism/naturalism, and humour. The chapter also outlines under-researched areas and prospects for future research.

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the role of dialogue in fiction, using the example of dialogue in contemporary English-language television series. In so doing, it incorporates initial findings from a corpus linguistic research project into language use in American TV series. The chapter introduces the different functions of dialogue before surveying three key trends in pragma-stylistic research: the study of characterization, realism/naturalism, and humour. The chapter also outlines under-researched areas and prospects for future research.

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