A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIFIC LEXICON OF CHARACTER SPEECH IN JOHN STEINBECK’S THE GRAPES OF WRATH.

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This article examines the pragmatic functions of specific lexical units used in the speech of characters in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. The study explores how regional dialectisms, colloquial expressions, sociolects, emotionally marked vocabulary, and culture-specific lexical items contribute to the construction of character identity and the representation of social realities during the Great Depression. Employing pragmatic and stylistic approaches, the research analyzes selected dialogues from the novel to determine how linguistic choices reflect social status, interpersonal relations, and communicative intentions. The findings demonstrate that Steinbeck strategically utilizes non-standard lexical forms to create authenticity, establish solidarity among characters, express resistance to social injustice, and reinforce the novel’s socio-cultural context. The study contributes to literary pragmatics by highlighting the relationship between lexical selection and pragmatic meaning in fictional discourse.