Language and identity in ancient narratives: the relationship between speech patterns and social context in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts of John, and Acts of Philip
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Date
26/11/2013Author
Snyder, Julia Ann
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Abstract
Drawing on insights from sociolinguistics, the thesis investigates the relationship
between speech patterns and social context in three ancient Greek narratives: the Acts of
the Apostles, Acts of John, and Acts of Philip. The thesis explores how characters’ speech
patterns correlate with their Christian status, and with the Christian status of their
addressees. The relationship between speech patterns and gentile/Jewish identity is also
assessed. Linguistic variables include plural forms of address and third-person references
to Jesus and the Christian god.
The thesis shows that Christian characters are portrayed as speaking differently amongst
themselves than when addressing non-Christian characters. It also demonstrates that
parameters of sociolinguistic variation in each text point to differing understandings of
Christian identity. It is argued that attention to sociolinguistic relationships highlights
the importance of ascetic practices and baptism in the Acts of Philip, the gradual nature
of Christian conversion in the Acts of John, and the close relationship between Jewish
and Christian identity in the Acts of the Apostles. The thesis also examines
characterization and implied audience, and argues that attention to social context is
necessary to appreciate the full significance of an author’s choice of words.