Pulchra Lingua: A Journal of Language Study, Literature & Linguistics

Bilingualism and Language Disorders in Early Childhood

Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In early childhood, inadequate parenting and excessive screen exposure are often linked to delays in first language acquisition. A bilingual environment is also suspected to contribute to these challenges. If left unaddressed, such factors may lead to language development issues, including speech delay and symptoms of autism. This study uses an exploratory case study approach involving two children, aged 4 and 5, raised in bilingual households. Data were collected through language behavior observations and interviews with their parents. Findings indicate that both children exhibited speech delays and signs within the autism spectrum. These difficulties were associated with inconsistent parenting and the high linguistic complexity from multiple languages used at home, which hindered optimal language development. Additionally, comorbid health issues such as dental caries and early tooth extraction negatively impacted their speech ability. The study emphasizes the importance of consistent, responsive parenting in supporting first language development in bilingual environments.

The Dimensions of Erich Fromm’s Concept of Love in Andrea Hirata’s Novel Father

Sri Yustina, Herlandri Eka Jayaputri , Muhammad Fahruddin Aziz — Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the representation of five types of love objects as conceptualised in Erich Fromm’s theory—love for others, maternal love, erotic love, self-love, and love for God—in Andrea Hirata’s novel “Ayah”. Employing a qualitative literary psychology approach with content analysis techniques, the study identified and analysed 38 instances that illustrate various forms of love. The findings reveal the predominance of love for others and erotic love in shaping character dynamics and driving the narrative. The character Sabari emerges as a symbol of transcendental love characterised by sacrifice and sincerity. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the values of love depicted in the novel reflect the complexity of Indonesian emotional and cultural expressions. Theoretically, this study contributes by broadening the understanding of the concept of love in Indonesian literature through Fromm’s framework, whilst reinforcing the pertinence of literary psychology in the analysis of local fiction.

Using Visual Dictionary to Improve Vocabulary of the Students

Siti Rahma Ramdania, Mochtar Marhum, Wahyudin Wahyudin — Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using a visual dictionary to enhance vocabulary mastery among seventh-grade students at SMP Negeri 15 Palu. A pre-experimental research design was employed, involving a single experimental group consisting of 21 students. Data were collected using a pre-test and post-test administered before and after the treatment. The intervention, which involved the use of a visual dictionary as a learning tool, was applied exclusively to the experimental group. The results of the analysis revealed a notable improvement in students’ vocabulary performance. The average score increased from 66.66 on the pre-test to 78.1 on the post-test. Furthermore, statistical analysis indicated that the calculated t-value (51.25) exceeded the critical t-table value (281.21), confirming that the difference between the scores was statistically significant. These findings provide empirical evidence that the use of a visual dictionary is effective in improving vocabulary mastery among The seventh-grade students .

Emotional Intensity and the Function of Imagery in Contemporary Popular Fiction

Sardevi Sardevi — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study is grounded in the significance of stylistic inquiry for elucidating the role of imagery as a central component in constructing aesthetic experience in popular fiction, which has predominantly been examined from structural and adaptation-oriented perspectives. Drawing upon Nurgiyantoro’s classification of imagery into five categories—visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile, and olfactory—this research aims to identify and describe the types of imagery employed in *Dia Angkasa* by Nurwina Sari and to analyze their functions in shaping narrative atmosphere and reader experience. A descriptive qualitative design was applied, utilizing content analysis of the novel’s text. The findings reveal 176 instances of imagery, dominated by visual (70 instances) and kinesthetic (53 instances) forms, followed by auditory (39 instances), tactile (12 instances), and olfactory (2 instances). The analysis demonstrates that imagery constructs immersive atmosphere, reinforces characterization, and intensifies readers’ emotional engagement, confirming its strategic stylistic function in popular novels.

Semantic Exploration of Emotional Contrast in “Last Christmas” by Wham!

Nerin Sry Rahayu, Dimas Adika — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This research aims to examines emotional contradictions in Wham!'s “Last Christmas” through semantic analysis and conceptual metaphors. Using a qualitative descriptive method, six respondents without formal music education provided emotional perceptions of the song. The lyrics, centered on loss and betrayal, employ metaphors like “I gave you my heart” to convey trust and vulnerability. In contrast, the upbeat melody fosters a positive atmosphere, enhancing the emotional complexity for listeners. Findings highlight how metaphors help conceptualize abstract emotions, while the melody emphasizes emotional contrasts. This interplay between lyrics and melody transforms “Last Christmas” into a reflective artistic piece, offering deeper insights into emotional expression and contributing to the study of music-emotion relationships.