LANGUAGE STYLE IN CINEMATIC DIALOGUE: A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF ENOLA HOLMES

Abstract

Language is not only a means of communication but also a representation of social identity, personal characteristics, and relationships between individuals. This study aims to analyze the language styles used by Enola Holmes and Viscount Tewkesbury in the film Enola Holme through a sociolinguistic perspective. This research applies a qualitative descriptive method by focusing on selected dialogues between the two characters. The data were collected through a document-based technique by identifying, transcribing, and selecting utterances that represent different language styles. The analysis was conducted based on Joos’ theory of language style, supported by sociolinguistic perspectives from Lakoff (1975) and Labov (1972) to examine the relationship between language use, gender, and social identity.

The findings show that Enola Holmes and Viscount Tewkesbury demonstrate different patterns of language style that reflect their personalities, social backgrounds, and positions within social contexts. Tewkesbury tends to use polite, careful, and socially accepted expressions, reflecting his noble upbringing and awareness of social expectations. In contrast, Enola frequently uses direct, confident, and assertive expressions, representing her independence and resistance toward traditional social norms. Furthermore, the study reveals that language style cannot be understood solely through gender-based assumptions, as linguistic choices are also influenced by social background, personal identity, and
situational context. This research concludes that language style functions as a dynamic social practice that contributes to character construction and the representation of social values within cinematic discourse.