LANGUAGE VARIATION IN THE MOVIE "HERBIE: FULLY LOADED"

Abstract

This study explores the sociolinguistic elements presented in the film Herbie: Fully Loaded, highlighting how dialect serves as a crucial tool for character development and social representation. The film utilizes a variety of speech styles, including slang, argot, jargon, and idioms, which reflect characters' distinct social roles and experiences. Central to this analysis is Maggie Peyton, the protagonist, whose linguistic evolution mirrors her personal growth and navigation through a male-dominated racing culture. Initial casual language reflects her uncertainty, while her eventual adoption of racing jargon signifies her integration and assertiveness within the competitive environment. This transformation aligns with Giles' communication accommodation and Hazen's variety hypotheses, evidencing how dialect variations reflect social dynamics, stratification, and character development. Additionally, the film examines gendered language use, depicting Maggie's speech transition as a means to challenge patriarchal expectations. The contrast between her affluent family's polished language and the racing community’s casual vernacular underscores economic disparities and Maggie's struggle for acceptance. Furthermore, the film effectively employs specific linguistic components to establish authenticity and engage viewers, revealing how dialect can shape narratives in popular media. Despite its sociolinguistic richness, Herbie: Fully Loaded has received limited academic attention, indicating the necessity for further exploration of language's role in family-oriented films and its reflections on social perceptions. This study contributes to the understanding of how language variations in film can reflect and influence societal attitudes, paving the way for subsequent research in sociolinguistics in cinematic contexts.