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Exploring the Language of Drama: from text to context JONATHAN CULPEPPER, MICK SHORT & PETER VERDONK (Eds), 1998 Routledge, London (Interface series)
192 pp.
ISBN 0-415-13795-0
This book attempts to apply particular linguistic techniques-already established for the analysis of poetry and prose fiction-to the study of dramatic texts. It is predicated on the notion that the close linguistic analysis of playtexts outside of their performance context is valid-a concept which many involved in drama might find challenging. Indeed, one whole chapter-by Mick Short-is given over to a justification of the 'classroom' based study of playtexts-by which he means, of course, the theoretical application of various stylistic tools, in contrast to the practical methodologies commonly applied to the study of texts by many of the readers of this journal. Short's argument is that a 'sensitive understanding' of plays might be gleaned through 'mere reading' of the text. In spite of his admission that this insight is unlikely to occur in students with no knowledge of the theatre, the implication here is that the techniques advocated might in some way provide a method of coming to understand and appreciate playtexts outside of a performance context....