SOUND PATTERNING AND MEANING CONSTRUCTION IN LEAVES OF GRASS: SONG OF MYSELF A PHONO-STYLISTIC ANALYSIS

Roma Ito Br  Pane; Novita  Aulia; Rahmadsyah Rangkuti

doi:10.33365/linguistics_and_literature.v7i1.2235

Roma Ito Br Pane Universitas Sumatera Utara
Novita Aulia Universitas Sumatera Utara
Rahmadsyah Rangkuti Universitas Sumatera Utara

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33365/linguistics_and_literature.v7i1.2235

Keywords: Meaning construction, phonological features, phono-stylistics, poetry analysis, sound patterning, Walt Whitman

Abstract

This study aims to analyse how sound patterning contributes to meaning construction in Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass through a phono-stylistic approach. The study addresses the limited attention given to phonological features as a meaning-making mechanism, since previous research has focused mainly on thematic and lexical aspects. Employing a qualitative method supported by quantitative sound-frequency analysis, the study examines selected lines from Song of Myself. Data were collected through close reading and phonetic transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The analysis focuses on consonants, vowels, alliteration, assonance, consonance, repetition, and phonological foregrounding (Simpson, 2004; Leech & Short, 2007). The findings show that soft consonants support themes of harmony and unity, while plosive consonants reinforce identity construction. Long vowels enhance musicality and reflection, whereas repetition and parallelism emphasize key ideas. The study concludes that sound patterning functions not only aesthetically but also semantically in constructing poetic meaning.

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