A STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF WORDPLAY IN THE SIMPSONS SERIES

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to identify and describe the forms and functions of wordplay in The Simpsons series. The source of the data was the twenty fourth season of the famous series of The Simpsons. The data were selected only from the first episode to the sixth episode of the season. The form of the data was some verbal expressions spoken by the characters or written anywhere on the screen. There are dialogues, monologues, advertisements, titles, and shop signs. The validity and credibility were ensured by using triangulation to achieve data trustworthiness. The result of this research shows that all types of wordplay appeared in the series. They are punning repetition, play on antonym, asyntactic, etymological, syllepsis, and similarity on pronunciation. Based on the findings, the play on similarity of pronunciation is the most dominant type that occurred in the series. The domination of this type shows that the play on similarity of pronunciation is an effective technique and successful in amusing its audience and delivering the wordplay phenomena to them. In addition, all functions of wordplay like telling jokes, breaking taboos, and raising serious effect were found in every episode. This proves The Simpsons as a genuine adult animated sitcom which can tell jokes and break taboos at the same time.

Keywords: The Simpsons, wordplay, animated sitcom