Abstract

(Based on joint work with Lieven Danckaert, Lille)

Finite sentences in English require an overt subject. However, English allows subject omission in some registers such as colloquial speech, e.g.

Don’t know what you’re talking about.

This talk will discuss subject omission in speech representation in Agatha Christie’s work. Based on four stories and focussing on 4.50 from Paddington, it will be shown how in addition to the description of their outward appearance and behaviour, Christie uses grammar, and in particular subject omission, to style characters. In these stories, subject omission is a function of the interplay of at least the following factors: education/social class, gender, familiarity, (in)formality of speech setting (cf. Cote 1996).

The final part of the talk explores how Agatha Christie uses grammar to style the character of Hercule Poirot.

https://research.flw.ugent.be/en/liliane.haegeman & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liliane_Haegeman,