"Determining the Plausibility of Future Language in (Post-)Apocalyptic Fiction."

Abstract

This thesis aims to test the plausibility of future language as found in works of (post-)apocalyptic and dystopian fiction. To achieve this, literary works by H.G. Wells, George Orwell, Anthony Burgess, David Mitchell, Russell Hoban, and Octavia E. Butler are analysed. Additionally, a number of post-apocalyptic films are discussed to complement this study. To determine the feasibility of the languages used in these works, linguistic theories are explored and applied to the examples mentioned. For this purpose, the principle of linguistic relativity is particularly relevant, as are the ideas formulated in theories of chronolinguistics and ecolinguistics. In the body of the paper three distinct future language scenarios are discussed, and certain assumptions are made regarding their plausibility. Ultimately, it will become clear to what extent language extrapolation is possible, as well as how accurately this is depicted in works of (post-)apocalyptic fiction.