THE USE OF NEOLOGISMS IN CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE: A CASE STUDY OF THE BRIEF WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO BY JUNOT DÍAZ
##semicolon##
Neologism, contemporary literature, language innovation, Junot Díaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, character development, cultural identity, Spanglish, literary language.##article.abstract##
This article delves into the innovative use of neologisms in contemporary literature, focusing on Junot Díaz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.” The work is notable for its rich linguistic tapestry that combines
English, Spanish, and various cultural references, reflecting the complexities of the Dominican-American experience. Through the analysis of key neologisms such as "fukú," "nerd," and "ghetto," the article examines how these newly coined terms
contribute to character development, cultural identity, and thematic depth within the narrative. The article posits that Díaz’s neologisms not only serve as tools for storytelling but also as cultural signifiers that encapsulate the struggles and aspirations
##submission.citations##
1. Díaz, Junot. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Riverhead Books, 2007.
2. Kramsch, Claire. Language and Culture. Oxford University Press, 1998.n
3. Bhabha, Homi K. The Location of Culture. Routledge, 1994.
4. Simpson, P. (2004). Stylistics: A Resource Book for Students. Routledge.
5. Toolan, M. (2001). Narrative: A Critical Linguistic Introduction. Routledge.
6. Bussmann, H. (1996). Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics.
Routledge.
7. Canclini, Néstor García. Hybrid Cultures: Strategies for Entering and Leaving
Modernity. University of Minnesota Press, 2005.
8. Pavlenko, A., Lantolf, J. P. (2000). *Second Language Learning as Participation
and the (Re)Construction of Self*. In J. P. Lantolf (Ed.), Sociocultural Theory and
Second Language Learning (pp. 155-178). Oxford University Press.
