“IF WE OFFEND, IT IS WITH OUR GOOD WILL”:1 MALAPROPISMS, MISPRONUNCIATION AND GARBLING OF LANGUAGE IN SHAKESPEARE'S

Abstract

This paper will focus on how Shakespeare often introduces characters with language challenges or difficulties in his plays. These come in a range of forms and include, to name but a few, malapropisms with unintentional comic effect, non-native English speakers whose mispronunciation of English provides much amusement and misunderstandings and various other garblers of the English language. These verbal failings are usually viewed as Shakespeare poking fun at the ignorance of commoners or foreigners, in contrast, of course, to the more eloquent voices of their social superiors. One can, however, view these utterances as a subversive means of ridiculing or deflating the pompous language of the rich and powerful. Perhaps these garblers are yet another kind of wise clown or fool used by Shakespeare, so effectively in the comedies in particular, to comment insightfully on the events transpiring on stage.