LEXICO-SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF PETER DRURY'S FAMOUS FOOTBALL COMMENTARIES

Abstract

Language is used only by human beings for communication. Since these human beings consist of different groups characterized by the frequent use of different linguistic behaviors and other extra-linguistic norms that guide their social interaction, it is normal and expected that variation exists in their use of language across different situations. This research paper examines the various novel words and expressions used in sports discourse and their meanings in their contexts of usage. Specifically, corpus data were selected from the famous football commentaries of the British sports commentator Peter Drury, covering the period from 2010 to 2023. The data were analyzed with attention to the meanings embedded in each of the lexicons and expressions, as they relate to the referential theory of meaning. Lexical innovations are categorized on the basis of their peculiar references and patterns, while the semantic significance of such formations is examined in terms of their semantic properties (lexical semantics). We observe a careful manipulation of lexical properties to portray a person or an action at the figurative or metaphoric level of meaning. More importantly, the study acknowledges the fact that the football aura and environment have the potential to weave into the English language an identity that is unique and capable of enhancing the development of sports discourse.