Rendering linguocultural and pragmatic potential of author neologisms in children’s literature (the case study of J. K. Rowling’s “Christmas Pig” and T. Fletcher’s “Christmasaurus”)

Abstract

Children's literature often incorporates imaginative and fantastical worlds created by authors to captivate young readers. When presented with phenomena, characters, and events that are beyond our understanding, it is common to seek explanations through the use of magic and other supernatural elements. However, mature readers may find it challenging to accept storylines that deviate from the norm, as the presence of magic, spells, and other mystical elements can complicate the plot, requiring a close and careful reading of the text. Conversely, young readers, with their vivid imaginations, are more able to become fully immersed in the storyline, making magic an almost essential element of children's literature. Moreover, children’s literature authors frequently employ a number of author neologisms that are characteronyms and make up these magical worlds. Thus, decoding linguocultural information and pragmatic functions of such units is the key objective of the present study. Author neologisms serve significant aesthetic and pragmatic functions, albeit presenting a challenge for authors and translators alike. This challenge is due to the fact that texts often need to be modified to cater to different language variations, making them comprehensible to young readers who may not be familiar with certain terms or cultural references. J. K. Rowling’s writing style is characterized by intricate character development, frequent use of literary devices, and the introduction of neologisms that contribut to the creation of a vivid and imaginative world. Despite being intended for younger readers, her books address acute social problems, and author neologisms help the author underscore them in the text Likewise, Tom Fletcher’s “The Christmasaurus”, first published in 2016, has become a beloved classic among a large number of young readers. It is a captivating story of a young boy named William, his father, and a prehistoric creature. To vividly portray his fancy Christmas world, the author made up a plethora of author neologisms. Thus, it remains imperative to ensure that the pragmatic and linguocultural potential of such units is preserved during translation.