Written Dialects in Literature: Exploring ESL and EFL Readers’ Responses to Written Dialect in A Kestrel for a Knave

Abstract

The research will be structured as follows: the first section discusses the phenomenon of written dialects in literature. The second section analyses both the narrative and stylistic features of the Yorkshire dialect in Hines’ novel A Kestrel for a Knave. The narrative analysis will explore the possible rationale for dialect implementation in certain characters while being absent in others by employing Rosina Lippi-Green’s theory of standard language ideology and language stereotyping as theoretical frameworks. The theoretical frameworks in the stylistic analysis section are Geoffrey Leech and Mick Short’s foregrounding model and linguistic deviations. Furthermore, the third section of the research focuses on analysing the ESL/EFL readers’ survey as a case study. Criticality is the primary tool for understanding the responses; therefore, I will use Jennifer Moon’s critical thinking tools, including synthesis, analysis, and evaluation, to enhance data comprehension. By comparing the literature review with the case study results, the research aims to contribute to a better understanding of readers’ perceptions of dialect. The goal is not to propose a new hypothesis about the use of dialect in literature but to enhance our comprehension of how readers perceive dialect in literary works.