Exploring the Fictional Words in the Wicked Movie Franchise

https://doi.org/10.25299/j-lelc.2026.29852

Authors

  • Philomena Rizka Shareta Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Aisah Aisah Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Ati Sumiati Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia

Keywords:

Wicked, Word Formation Process, Speech Function, Movie

Abstract

This study explores how fictional words from the Wicked movie franchise are formed, how they function in utterances, and how they support the characterization and plot. The qualitative descriptive method and interpretative approach was used in this study. This study primarily applied Yule’s (2023) word formation processes and Holmes’ (2013) speech functions. While the discussion is based on the narrative functions of fictional languages by Noletto (2024). Out of 53 fictional words, there were five out of seven types of word formation processes by Yule (2023) that were found, with derivation being the dominant type (53%). The word formation process of blending that is a part of compounding was also applied in analyzing the fictional words. There were three words that could not be analyzed using Yule’s (2023) word formation processes, therefore the concept of alternation by Fromkin et al. (2013) was applied to analyze them. Out of six speech functions by Holmes (2013), five of them were found. The dominant type that was found was referential (45.63%). Based on the function of the utterances, the fictional words’ functions were analyzed. The fictional words also support the characterization of the movies, which aligns with the descriptive function by Noletto (2024). There are several characters who are considered in the higher social class that frequently use fictional words. The fictional words also support other characters’ personalities and developments. Several fictional words also supported several turning points in the development of the plot. This aligns with the diegetic function by Noletto (2024).

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aistyana, T. P., & Prastiwi, Y. (2025). Character Analysis Through Dialogue In Enola Holmes (2020): A Study Using M.H Abram’s Theory. Language Literacy: Journal of Linguistics, Literature, and Language Teaching, 9(1), 74–82. https://doi.org/10.30743/ll.v9i1.10746

Bielova, M. A. (2025). Stylistic Neologisms In English-Language Chick Lit: Morphosemantic Aspect. Alfred Nobel University Journal of Philology, 1(29), 78–102. https://doi.org/10.32342/3041-217X-2025-1-29-5

Cote, David. (2005). Wicked : The Grimmerie. Hachette Books.

Creswell, J. W. ., & Creswell, J. David. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE Publications, Inc.

Crystal, D. (2008). A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics. Blackwell.

Dewi, N. M. P. S. (2024). Analysis Speech Function Used in A Movie “Frozen II.” Morfologi: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, Bahasa, Sastra Dan Budaya, 2(5), 257–264. https://doi.org/10.61132/morfologi.v2i5.959

Dwiningtyas, N. M. R. A., Krisnawati, N. L. P., & Malini, N. L. N. S. (2023). SPEECH FUNCTIONS ANALYSIS USED BY THE MAIN CHARACTER IN “OVER THE MOON” MOVIE (2020). KLAUSA (Kajian Linguistik, Pembelajaran Bahasa, Dan Sastra), 7(1), 68–80. https://doi.org/10.33479/klausa.v7i1.713

Frianly, A., & Linuwih, R. (n.d.). Language Function Used By The Main Character In “Joker” Movie.

Fromkin, Victoria., Rodman, Robert., & Hyams, Nina. (2013). An Introduction to Language. Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.

Holmes, Janet. (2013). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. Pearson Education.

Indahyani, B., & Marlina, L. (2023). Word Formation Processes in Children’s Literature: L. Frank Baum’s Novel Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) and Its Animation Movie Produced by Little Fox Youtube Channel (2021). English Language and Literature, 12(3), 465. https://doi.org/10.24036/ell.v12i3.118548

Ivushkina, T. A. (2020). Literary words of foreign origin as social markers in jeffrey archer’s novels. Russian Journal of Linguistics, 24(4), 816–830. https://doi.org/10.22363/2687-0088-2020-24-4-816-830

Kamagi, S., Siwi, C. M., & Rantung, C. D. (2023). An Analysis of the Word Formation Processes in “Captain Marvel” Movie. In Proceedings of the Unima International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities (UNICSSH 2022) (pp. 1583–1594). Atlantis Press SARL. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-35-0_189

Lambert, V. A., & Lambert, C. E. (2012). Editors: Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research. In Pacific Rim Int J Nurs Res.

Maharani, I. S., Nargis, & Imaniah, I. (2025). IDEAS Journal on Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature Analysis of Mood and Speech Function Found in “La La Land 2016” Movie. 13(2), 4155–4172. https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.-a). CONGRATULATION Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster. Retrieved June 23, 2026, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congratulation

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.-b). GRIMOIRE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster. Retrieved August 4, 2026, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grimoire

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.-c). ISH Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster. Retrieved August 4, 2026, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ish

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.-d). PESSIMISTIC Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster. Retrieved June 23, 2026, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pessimistic

Noletto, I. A. C. (2024). Fictional Languages in Science Fiction Literature: Stylistic Explorations. In Fictional Languages in Science Fiction Literature Stylistic Explorations. Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032688947

Putnam, L. L., & Banghart, S. (2017). Interpretive Approaches. In The International Encyclopedia of Organizational Communication (pp. 1–17). wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118955567.wbieoc118

Rantia, P. S. (2023). An Analysis Of Slang Word Formation In Aladdin (2019) Movie Script.

Raskyana, R. M. (2024). Word Formation And Types Of English Slang Words And Phrases In Fast X Movie Directed By Louis Leterrier.

Safina, M. R., & Kosheleva, A. S. (2025). Extended’ Wordplay in Fictional Narrative Texts: Cross-Disciplinary Perspective. In EDN: NJCCMG Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences (Vol. 2025, Number 1).

Safitri, A. W. (2022). An Analysis Of Word Formation Processes In Incredibles 2.

Shafira, N., & Sari, R. P. (2020). Speech Functions Of The Main Character, Strange,’S Utterances In Doctor Strange Film.

Sopiah, S., Yulianisha, D., Slang, K., Proses, ;, & Kata, P. (2023). An Analysis of Word Formation Process of English Slang Used in Camp Rock Movie Script Kata kunci (Vol. 6, Number 2). http://Jiip.stkipyapisdompu.ac.id

Wardhana, L. A. V., & Maharani S.A.I. (2023). Main Character’s Speech Functions Analysis In The Movie “Turning Red” (Vol. 1, Number 1).

Wiranata. (2020). An Analysis Of Word Formation Process On Ready Player One Movie’s Script.

Yule, G. (2023). The Study of Language.

Published

2026-06-28

How to Cite

Shareta, P. R., Aisah, A., & Sumiati, A. (2026). Exploring the Fictional Words in the Wicked Movie Franchise. J-LELC: Journal of Language Education, Linguistics, and Culture, 6(2), 139–149. https://doi.org/10.25299/j-lelc.2026.29852