A study of language varieties in once upon a time in America from the perspective of sociolinguistics

Abstract

This study adopts a sociolinguistic theoretical perspective, focusing on the phenomenon of language variation in the classic film Once Upon a Time in America. It delves deeply into the core role of language in shaping characters' social identities, transmitting cultural heritage, and constructing power relations. By systematically analyzing the dialogues and linguistic patterns of key characters in the film, the study emphasizes the multifaceted functions of regional dialects, sociolects, and ethnolinguistic features in advancing the narrative and characterizing individuals. It reveals how different language varieties precisely convey characters' social class differences, cultural belonging, and interpersonal interaction dynamics. Through meticulous interpretation of representative scenes and dialogue excerpts from the film, the study finds that language serves not only as a communicative tool among characters but also as a clear reflection of the complex social hierarchy and profound cultural conflicts in early 20th-century America, becoming an important medium for showcasing the historical context. The research findings further enrich academic discussions on the interactive relationships among language, society, and cinema, providing a deep and broad analytical perspective for interpreting the sociolinguistic implications of language variation in filmic representation, and offering certain reference value for subsequent research in related fields.