2.3.1

Language

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General Language Use

The language in the play is realistic, reflecting the patterns of speech commonly used in early 21st Century Britain.

Formal vs colloquial

Formal vs colloquial

  • While professionals such as Siobhan and Mrs Gascoyne speak in a more formal manner, the other characters tend to use everyday, colloquial language to communicate with each other.
Taboo language/expletives

Taboo language/expletives

  • One of the most striking features in the play is the use of taboo language and expletives, most often used when adults are surprised or infuriated by Christopher’s behaviour.
  • These outbursts can often be very humorous, providing a moment of release for an audience (e.g. the Station Policeman’s exclamation of “Shitting fuck” once he realises the train is moving and he is on his way to London).
Taboo language (cont.)

Taboo language (cont.)

  • At other times, (e.g. Ed’s threatening “Don’t give me that bollocks you little shit” at the beginning of the fight scene) the effect can be shocking.

Christopher's Language

Christopher’s language is very distinctive. His language is heard in his dialogue, monologues and the passages from his notebook that Siobhan narrates.

Formal language

Formal language

  • Christopher's speech has a very formal tone.
  • Christopher avoids the contractions commonly used in spoken language – Christopher will say “I have” instead of “I’ve” and “I am” instead of “I’m”.
Avoids slang/taboo language

Avoids slang/taboo language

  • Christopher does not use slang or taboo language, unlike almost every other character in the play.
  • This may be because, unlike other characters in the play, Christopher expresses his fears and frustrations using non-verbal communications (e.g. rolling on the ground and groaning).
Avoids metaphors and idioms

Avoids metaphors and idioms

  • Christopher avoids using metaphorical or idiomatic language because it “confuses” him when words and phrases do not make literal sense.
  • In an early scene in Part One, Christopher lists expressions such as “He was the apple of her eye” and “We had a real pig of a day” which he feels have nothing to do with the meanings they have.
  • Likewise, Christopher avoids using humour, largely because humour often involves puns or a play on words which may not make literal sense.
Factual language

Factual language

  • Christopher’s language is very factual. He often communicates in long, compound sentences which list a number of facts together, separated by the conjunction “and”.
  • Again, the effect is to make his utterances sound strangely formal and lacking in emotion.
Jump to other topics
1

Introduction & Context

1.1

Novel & Play

1.1.1Mark Haddon's Novel (2003)1.1.2Simon Stephens' Adaptions (2012)
1.2

Christopher's Autism

1.2.1Christopher's Autism1.2.2End of Topic Test - Introduction & Context
2

Form, Structure & Language

2.1

Dramatic Devices

2.1.1Writing About the Text as a Playscript2.1.2Dramatic Devices
2.2

Genre & Structure

2.2.1Genre2.2.2Structure
2.3

Language

2.3.1Language2.3.2End of Topic Test - Form, Structure & Language
3

Text Summary & Analysis

3.1

Part One

3.1.1Discovering the Dead Dog & Christopher's Autism3.1.2The Policeman & Siobhan3.1.3The Police Station & Ed's Entry3.1.4Mother's Death & Beginning the Investigation3.1.5Ed's Frustrations & Revisiting Mrs Alexander3.1.6Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene3.1.7Judy's Letters3.1.8Ed's Confession3.1.9End of Topic Test - Part One3.1.10End of Topic Test - Part One 2
3.2

Part Two

3.2.1Preparing to Run Away & Train Station3.2.2On the Train & Arriving in London3.2.3On the Tube & Arriving at Judy's House3.2.4Policeman, Ed Visits & Tensions3.2.5Back in Swindon & New Beginnings3.2.6The End & Maths Appendix3.2.7End of Topic Test - Part Two3.2.8End of Topic Test - Part Two 2
4

Themes

4.1

Themes

4.1.1Independence4.1.2Parenting4.1.3Order & Disorder4.1.4End of Topic Test - Themes
5

Recap: Main Quotes

5.1

Part One - Quotes

5.1.1The Dead Dog & Christopher's Autism - Quotations5.1.2The Policeman & Siobhan - Quotations5.1.3The Police Station & Ed's Entry - Quotations5.1.4Mother's Death & Investigation - Quotations5.1.5Ed's Frustrations & Mrs Alexander - Quotations5.1.6Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene - Quotations5.1.7Judy's Letters & Ed's Confession - Quotations
5.2

Part Two - Quotes

5.2.1Preparing to Run Away & Train Station - Quotations5.2.2On the Train & Arriving in London - Quotations5.2.3On the Tube & Judy's House - Quotations5.2.4Policeman, Ed Visits & Tensions - Quotations5.2.5Back in Swindon & New Beginnings - Quotations5.2.6The End & Maths Appendix - Quotations
5.3

Themes - Quotes

5.3.1Independence - Quotes5.3.2Parenting - Quotes5.3.3Order & Disorder - Quotes

Practice questions on Language

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  1. 1
    Which word best describes the language used in the play?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What types of words does Christopher avoid using?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Which adjective best describes Christopher's language?Multiple choice
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Structure

End of Topic Test - Form, Structure & Language