LINGUISTIC AND COGNITIVE ANALYSIS OF THE LANGUAGE OF MEG ROSOFF’S NOVELS

Abstract

This study explores the linguistic and cognitive dimensions of Meg Rosoff’s novels, focusing on how language reflects the process of adolescent self-awareness and identity formation. As one of the prominent representatives of contemporary Young Adult (YA) fiction, Rosoff employs a unique narrative style that combines lexical simplicity with psychological and semantic depth. Her use of colloquial language, fragmented syntax, and conceptual metaphors enables the representation of adolescent thought, emotional instability, and the inner search for meaning. Drawing on theories of cognitive stylistics (Stockwell, 2002; Lakoff & Johnson, 2003), the research analyzes how linguistic choices, metaphorical structures, and narrative perspective shape the portrayal of identity in Rosoff’s works such as How I Live Now and What I Was. The findings demonstrate that Rosoff’s prose, while linguistically accessible, reveals complex mental and emotional processes, positioning her writing at the intersection of cognitive linguistics and psychological realism.