Language Play in The Names of The Characters in Star Wars Movies.

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LIST OF SYMBOLS

1. ↕ anagrams

2. ≈ associative meaning

3. Î becomes

4. ± blending

5. ⊞ compound

6. ≤ clipping

7. ► comes from the process of …

8. ⋊ homophone

9. = literal meaning

10.⋑ mimes

11.⌗ minimal pairs

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

1. adj. Adjective 2. adv. Adverbs

3. n Noun

4. v Verb 5. pron. Pronoun

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ABSTRACT

Dalam skripsi ini, penulis membahas nama-nama yang dianggap unik di dalam film garapan George Lucas, Star Wars. Penulis berusaha mencari tahu apa makna di balik nama-nama tersebut dan bagaimana nama tersebut menjadi unik melalui proses linguistik.

Nama-nama yang ada dianalisis dengan proses linguistik, yaitu: Semantics, Morphology, dan Phonology. Kemudian arti dari nama- nama tersebut dikaitkan

dengan aspek kesusastraan seperti alur dan penokohan yang mendukung jalannya cerita beserta penokohannya.

Untuk mendukung karyanya yang berupa film fiksi-ilmiah, George Lucas membutuhkan nama-nama yang unik. Nama-nama tersebut muncul melalui permainan kata-kata yang melibatkan unsur-unsur linguistik.

Star Wars adalah sebuah cerita yang bersambung, dimulai dari episode 4-6

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Skripsi ini membahas seberapa jauh permainan kata-kata digunakan dalam penamaan tokoh yang unik dalam film Star Wars. Berdasarkan hasil analisis, makna tersirat di balik setiap nama berkaitan erat dengan karakteristik tokoh tersebut, baik penampilan fisiknya atau kepribadiannya. Tidak hanya itu, makna tersirat dari nama-nama tersebut juga berhubungan erat dengan masa depan tokoh yang bersangkutan.

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APPENDICES

Synopsis of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

This movie begins with two Jedi Knights, QuiGon and his apprentice, Obiwan

Kanobi, who are sent by Chancellor Valorum of the Galactic Republic to meet the

Trade Federation to settle the crisis. At that time, the Trade Federation has blockaded

the planet of Naboo with the hope of sttling a galactic trade dispute. This scene is

directed by Lord Sidious, who orders the Nemodians (Trade Federation) to invade

Naboo and also kill the Jedi Knights.

When QuiGon and Obiwan escape, they meet local Gungan, Jar-Jar Binks.

He brings them to an underwater Gungan city. While this happens, the Trade

Federation captures Naboo's leader, Queen Amidala. QuiGon tries to reach the

capital of Naboo and rescue Queen Amidala. They save the Queen and escape.

While escaping, the ship is attacked and needed to be fixed. Thus, they land in the

desert planet of Tatooine to repair their ship. To guarantee the security of Queen

Amidala, she pretends to be Queen Amidala’s handmaiden, named Padme.

In Tatooine, QuiGon and Padme (who is Queen Amidala herself), a

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Sebulba the Hutt. QuiGon senses that the Force is strong in him and feels that he

may be the "Chosen One" to bring the balance to the Force. QuiGon enters Anakin

into the Boonta Eve Podrace and bet with Anakin's master, Watto, to obtain the

necessary parts of the broken ship as well as Anakin's freedom. Then, Anakin wins

the race. He leaves his mother and joins the Jedi Knights.

When they meet the Jedi council, the council tests Anakin. The result is that

they do not accept Anakin because the fear and anger inside him will affect his future.

Meanwhile, Senator Palpatine persuades Amidala to vote him and change Valorum's

position. In order to stop the federation invasion, she returns to Naboo with her

security team, including two Jedi Knights.

In Naboo, Padme reveals herself as Queen Amidala. In Naboo also, QuiGon

and Obiwan Kanobi fight with Darth Maul. Unfortunately, QuiGon is killed and

Obiwan tries to fight. He manages to attack Darth Maul. With QuiGon’s last breath,

he orders Obiwan to train Anakin. Meanwhile, Master Yoda as the leader of Jedi

Knights, promotes Obiwan to a higher level to fill in QuiGon's position. Later, Yoda

also accepts Obiwan's request to train Anakin.

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Synopsis of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

In this episode, the Galactic Republic is in crisis, There is a Separatist

movement led by Count Dooku. Queen Amidala decides to come back to Coruscant

to vote against the creation of an Army of the Republic. When she arrives, a bomb

destroys Amidala's ship. Fortunately, she can escape from death. Afterwards,

Chancellor Palpatine asks her to be in Jedi Knights' security. They are Obiwan and

his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker.

That night, a bounty hunter, Zam, tries to kill Amidala. However, Zam

himself who is killed by her master cannot tell anyone who her master is. The Jedi

Knights make an attempt to investigate. One of the attempts is bringing Obiwan to

the planet of Kamino, where he finds that a secret clone army is being prepared for

the Republic. He figures out that this army is established by the orders of a Jedi

Knight, named Sifo-Dyas. A bounty hunter named Jango Fett has been hired to be

the template for the clones.

Obiwan fails to capture Jango and follows him to the planet of Geonosis.

Meanwhile, Anakin spends his time with Queen Amidala / Padme and reveals his

love to her. Padme refuses because she knows that a Jedi knight is forbidden to get

married or attach to someone. Soon, Anakin is disturbed by a dream. The dream is

about his mother, who is in danger and dying. Then, he asks Padme to go to

Tatooine. There, he finds that her mother has been kidnapped and now she is dying.

On Geonosis, Obiwan learns that Count Dooku has built a new droid army and

ordered the assassination of Amidala. Thus, the battle against the Republic's clone

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Count Dooku has a fight with Obiwan and Anakin. Dooku injures Obiwan

and cuts Anakin's right arm. On Corruscant, the Jedi Council finally knows who is

behind the Separatist movement. On Naboo, Padme and Anakin are married secretly.

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Synopsis of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

The Galaxy is in the war and Chancellor Palpatine is kidnapped by the

Separatists' second-in-command, General Griveous. Anakin and Obiwan lead a

mission to free him, but unfortunately, Griveous escapes.

Returning to Corruscant, Padme tells him that she is pregnant, but later

Anakin is disturbed by a dream that tells Amidala's dying in childbirth.

Anakin has a new job from the Council to spy on Palpatine, because he is

considered to be corrupt. Anakin builds a close relationship with Palpatine, and

Palpatine manipulates him not to trust the Jedi Knights. Palpatine claims that he can

prevent death. Later, Palpatine reveals himself to Anakin as the Sith, Lord Sidious,

who has controlled the Republic and the Separatist movement.

Meanwhile, Obiwan has a task to kill General Griveous in Utapau. Finally,

the Jedi knows about Palpatine's secret. Thus, Master Windu comes to Palpatine's

office and has a lightsaber duel with him. Just as Anakin arrives, Windu is about to

slay the Chancellor. Anakin quickly attacks Windu because he believes that

Palpatine is the only man to save Padme. Windu dies and Anakin becomes Darth

Vader. Then, he goes to Mustafar and gets an order to kill all the Jedi Knights.

Palpatine orders clone troopers to attack the Jedi Knights, and only Yoda and Obiwan

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Knowing that her husband turns to the dark side, Padme goes to Mustafar and

persuades him to come back. However, Anakin refuses and almost kills Amidala.

Soon, Obiwan helps her and has a fight with Anakin. Obiwan cuts off both Anakin's

legs and his left arm. After Obiwan leaves, Darth Sidious comes and saves Anakin.

Darth Vader's missing body parts are replaced by cybernetic prostheses, put into a full

suit of black armour, and sealed in a respirator mask.

Meanwhile, Padme bears twins, Leia and Luke Skywalker. Leia is adopted by

Senator Bail Organa, while Luke is raised by Anakin's stepbrother, Owen Skywalker.

Soon after that, Padme dies.

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Synopsis Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

In this episode, the galaxy has a problem, civil war. The rebel Alliance, led

by Princess Leia Organa, has stolen plans to the Galactic Empire's Death Star, a space

station which has an ability to destroy a planet. Before she is captured by the Empire,

she gives a holographic message into a droid, R2-D2.

Escaping from the Empire, the droid lands in Tatooine. The droid is captured

by Jawas and he sells it to Luke Skywalker. Then, Luke gets the message in which

Leia asks the help of Obiwan Kanobi. Luke tries to find that man and along the way

he meets an old man who is actually Obiwan Kanobi. Obiwan tells him about Jedi,

the Force, and his father, Anakin Skywalker, who turns out to be Darth Vader.

After hearing Luke's story about the message, Obiwan asks Luke to

accompany him to Alderaan and learn the ways of the Force. Luke agrees after

finding out that his home has been ruined by Imperial stormtroopers. In their efforts

to find the ship, they meet Han Solo, a pilot, and together, they go to Alderaan.

Meanwhile, Leia is forced to tell the Empire about the rebel base. Because of

the threat, Leia says that the Rebel base is on Dantooine. Luke and Obiwan try to

help her. In the battle, Obiwan is killed by Darth Vader.

The empire tries to destroy the moon by using the Death Star. Yet, Luke and

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Synopsis of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Galactic Empire has pursued the Rebel Alliance across the Galaxy. Then,

they have to build a secret base on the remote ice planet Hoth. While Luke is

patrolling, he is attacked by a creature, named Wampa. Knowing that his friend is

outside the camp, Han Solo tries to find him. Meanwhile, on his survival, Luke sees

a vision of his late mentor, Obiwan, who orders him to go to Dagobah and learn about

Jedi from Master Yoda. Later, Han Solo finds Luke.

Then, there are some attacks from the Empire, so they have to leave Hoth.

Leia and Han Solo escape with a spaceship, named Millenium Falcon, while Luke

with X-wing fighter. The Falcon is damaged and forced to land in an asteroid field.

Meanwhile, Luke's ship lands on Dagobah. In this planet, he meets Master Yoda and

learns about Jedi.

Since the ship is damaged and needs to be repaired, Han Solo and Leia are

forced to go to the Cloud City, where he can find his friend, Lando Calrissian. In

Dagobah, Luke has a vision that his friends, Leia and Han Solo are in danger, so he

goes to Cloud City. Later, Darth Vader captures them.

Darth Vader freezes Han Solo and hands him over to a bounty hunter called

Boba Fett. He gives the frozen Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt. Arriving in the Cloud

City, Luke engages Darth Vader in a combat. During the combat, Darth Vader claims

himself as Luke's father. At the same time, Leia senses through the Force that Luke

needs help, so Luke is saved by Leia.

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Synopsis of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Galactic Empire is making a new space station which is larger than Death

Star. While, Luke Skywalker has become a Jedi Knight and come to Tatooine to

rescue Han Solo from the gangster, Jabba the Hut. Secretly, Leia disguises herself as

a bounty hunter named Boussh and tries to set Han Solo free. Leia, Luke, Han Solo,

and Lando Calrissian fail to escape and are captured to be consumed by the Sarlacc, a

monster who can eat man. Finally, they manage to attack Jabba and his followers.

Afterwards, Luke comes back to Dagobah to gain his complete training. He

finds out that Yoda is ill and does not want to train him again because he says that no

further training is required. In his disappointment, Luke gets Obiwan’s vision which

tells the story of Anakin. He also says that Leia is his twin sister.

Next, the rebel Alliance has a new strategy by deactivating the shield

generator that protects the Death Star on the Forest Moon of Endor. In this place they

meet some creatures, named Ewoks. With the help of C-3PO, a robotic-friend of

Luke, they get Ewoks to be their alliance.

After telling Leia the truth, Luke faces Darth Vader bravely in order to save

his father for the second time. Unfortunately, his effort to make his father turn to the

good side fails. Meanwhile, the Rebels enter the shield generator control facility.

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On the Death Star, the Emperor, Lord Sidious tempts Luke to give in to his

anger, so he will turn to the dark side. In the combat between Luke and his father,

Darth Vader can read Luke's feelings and learn that Luke has a twin sister. Then,

Luke cuts off Vader's right robotic hand. However, Luke does not want to kill his

father.

Realizing that Luke cannot be turned, the Emperor (Darth Sidious) uses Force

Lightning to kill him. Anakin cannot bear his feelings to his own son, so he throws

the Emperor down to a reactor shaft. The Emperor's Force Lightning causes Anakin

to have difficulty in breathing. He asks Luke to open his mask, then repents and dies

on Luke's lap.

Meanwhile, Leia and Solo destroy the shield generator. Returning to Endor,

Leia tells Han Solo that Luke is her brother. She also reveals her love to him. In the

celebration, Luke can see that the spirit of Anakin, Obiwan, and Yoda stare proudly at

him.

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Pictures of the Characters

I. Queen Padme Amidala

She looks like a Russian model, Grand duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia

Grand duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia

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II. Lord Sidious

Lord Sidious Senator Palpatine

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IV. Darth Maul

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Star Wars is one of the famous science-fiction movies. It has won many

awards. George Lucas has made it more interesting and fascinating than his

other-science fiction movies, like : THX 1138 (1971). Star Wars is different in its

plot, story, and characters. First, George Lucas, the imaginative director, made

this movie for sequels and prequels. Therefore, this movie starts with the fourth,

fifth, and sixth episodes, then come the first, second and finally the third.

These movies consist of two trilogies: original trilogy (episodes IV-VI),

which was released between 1977 and 1983; and prequel trilogy (episodes I-III),

which was released between 1999 and 2005. The difference of the first and the

second trilogy is on the focus. The first trilogy (the sequels: episodes 4-6) is

focused on how Luke Skywalker conquers the evil Darth Vader, however, the

second trilogy (prequels: episodes 1-3) is focused on how the father of Luke

Skywalker becomes the evil Darth Vader. The story in this movie is full of

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fascinating. The imaginative characters in this movie are so interesting. Their

names and costumes make them peculiar. I find out that one of the character’s

names, Luke Skywalker, is related with George Lucas. One of the Internet

sources says that Luke Skywalker or Luke S. refers to George Lucas himself

because of the similar pronunciation with Lucas. Realizing the fact, it is

interesting for me to find out every name’s meaning through linguistic aspects.

The prominent linguistic aspect which I will use most is anagram, which is one of

the important parts in language play.

Therefore, the topic of this thesis is Language Play in the Names of the

Characters in Star Wars Movies. I choose this topic because I am convinced that

there is a meaning or intention behind every name. It is interesting to examine the

meaning of every name since Star Wars movies consist of uncommon names.

George Lucas as the director and the writer has invented names which are unusual

and odd to hear. Since these movies deal with a galaxy in which uncommon

creatures, such as aliens, live, George Lucas has invented names which are

peculiar. This peculiarity increases the audience’s curiosity whether those names

influence the plot and characterization in those movies. I hope that this thesis will

help viewers to understand the story better.

This topic deals not only with linguistics aspects, but also two elements in

literature, namely characterization and plot. In this thesis, I want to show that the

characters’ names are extremely important in revealing their characterization.

Thus, to show this, I want to relate the linguistic analysis of each character’s name

with their characteristics. Characterization in these movies can be revealed from

hidden narration, dialogue between characters, appearance, etc. Besides relating

Maranatha Christian University

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the meaning of each name with the characterization, I want to know how the

names deal with the plot or foreshadowing of the stories. Foreshadowing talks

about what will happen in the future or in the next episodes. Considering that

these movies consist of sequels, it will be helpful for the viewers to guess about

the future of each character.

In order to understand the meaning of each name, I use Semantics,

Morphology, and Phonology as the linguistic areas. Semantics is the study of

meaning in language. To be precise, I will focus on the literal meanings of the

names. I would also like to use morphological approach. Morphology is a branch

of linguistics which studies the word-form. Every affix or compound has its own

meaning. Each name is built from two or more words. It becomes one word after

those words have been processed through morphological process; such as:

clipping, blending, compounding, etc. In phonological area, investigating the

similarity of pronouncing the words becomes part of my analysis. Phonology is

the study of the sound systems of language, that is, the study of how speech

sounds structure and function in languages. Since speech sounds are used to

convey meaning, sound systems cannot be fully understood unless they are

studied in wider linguistic contexts. Some speech sounds can be used in a

language to distinguish words of different meanings.

In doing this research, I would like to use only the qualitative method. I

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Statement of the Problem

In this thesis, I would like to discuss the following problems:

1. What are the characters’ names which represent their characters in Star

Wars Movies?

2. What is the connection between each character’s name and the literary

element, such as plot and characterization in those movies?

Purpose of the Study

In this thesis, I would like to show:

1. To know and make a list of the character’s names which represent their own

characters in the movies.

2. To know the connection between each character’s names and the literary

elements, such as plot and characterization in those movies.

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Method of Research

In gathering the data, first, I watch the movies and make a list of

characters’ names. Second, I will consult two dictionaries, Webster and Oxford

dictionary, however Webster Dictionary will be my priority. My intention in

using this dictionary, of course is to know the meaning of each name. Third, I

select several names which are rather difficult to analyse, which is probably

caused by the morphological processes, such as: compound or affixes. Fourth, to

investigate each name in a proper way, I divide them into morphs. Fifth, I take the

dictionary and find the meaning of each word. Not only morphological processes

will I analyze but also phonological processes. Finally, I write the research report.

Organization of Thesis

This thesis consists of four chapters and is preceded by the Preface, Table

of Contents, List of Symbols, List of Abbreviations, and Abstract. It begins with

Chapter I, the Introduction, which contains the Background of the Study,

Statement of the Problem, Method of Research, and Organization of Thesis. Next

is Chapter II, which provides the linguistic theories, used to analyse the language

play. This is followed by Chapter III which contains the analysis of language play

in Star Wars movies. The last is Chapter IV, which contains my opinion and

personal comments of how language play used in the Star Wars movies. The

thesis ends with the Bibliography and Appendices. The Appendices provide of

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CHAPTER IV

CONCLUSION

In this chapter, I would like to give some conclusions based on my

findings about language play in George Lucas’s movies, Star Wars from episodes

1 to 6. The names which I list as my data are not all characters in the movies.

They are only the prominent characters, and they have language play in the

names. Moreover, I have analyzed four names. I choose these

twenty-four names, not only because they are prominent characters, but they also build

some imagination in my mind and remind me of other words. Language play is

prominent in the naming of characters in Star Wars. Language play conveys

literary elements through several processes. Firstly, the names are analyzed by

means of two linguistic approaches, Phonology and Morphology. Secondly, the

meanings of the names are analysed through Semantics. Thirdly, from the

meanings, I relate to with literary approaches, either plot or characterization.

Those names are closely related to the literary approaches in the movies,

either the characteristics of each character or the plot. I figure out fourteen names

which deal with characterization. From my analysis, I have found out that not all

of the characterization techniques are used. The characterization technique which

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is mostly used is dialogue between characters. There are eight names using this

technique. Furthermore, there are three names whose characteristics are presented

through the appearance of the character, one name through hidden narration, two

names through language, and three names through character in action.

Not only characterization techniques is used, but also plot. I find two

elements used, namely foreshadowing and suspense. In the movies, there are ten

names containing foreshadowing and only one contains suspense.

In addition, there is one name with two literary elements namely

characterization and plot.

Based on my findings, I conclude that the most prominent literary element

is characterization. George Lucas tries to convey the characteristics of each

character not only through the appearance but also the names. The hidden

meaning within the names is meant to build viewers’ curiosity. It happens

because as viewers, we do not need help to build our imagination. The characters

are obviously shown, especially their appearance in the movies.

In order to figure out the relationship between linguistic and literary

aspects, each name has to undergo linguistic process. There are twenty-two

names covering Semantic elements. There is one name with associative meaning,

and twenty-one names with literal meaning.

The other linguistic approach used to analyse the data is Morphology.

This approach covers ten names. The linguistic elements that are found are

blending, clipping, and compound. Three names use compound, three names use

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The last approach is Phonology. This approach covers seventeen names.

The Phonology elements which I find are homophone, minimal pair, and mimes.

Homophone covers five names; minimal pair covers thirteen names, whereas

mimes covers two names.

Another element that is used by Lucas is anagrams. Six names use

anagrams. By using this approach from language play, Lucas shows his creativity

by having a hidden meaning behind his characters. Thus, the mixture of literary

and linguistic aspects with anagrams produces peculiar names.

George Lucas uses language play in presenting his characters through

Phonology or Morphology, then it is followed by Semantics. Based on this

finding, I conclude that George Lucas tries to hide the meaning by altering the

letters or words.

George Lucas uses language play to give hints to the viewers. The main

purpose is not to build the reader’s imagination since the viewers have already

known the characters as they watch the movies.

George Lucas seems to concentrate more on the names which reveal the

characteristics of the characters. For names with hidden meaning, Lucas likes to

match his characters names’ with their appearance. He takes several models to

build his imaginative characters. For instance, Queen Amidala looks like a

Russian model.

Besides trying to match the names with their appearance, it is obvious that

George Lucas is influenced by Buddhism. One name proves to be related to

Buddhist, namely Yoda.

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George Lucas uses language play in creating the names because he wants

to give some unique characters in his science-fiction movies. Lucas sets peculiar

places, creatures, and settings to support the idea. Creating the names of each

character is difficult; however, George Lucas shows his efforts to create names by

using language play in order to support the characters. Thus, language play is

used to create some peculiar names whose meanings are closely related.

Based on my analysis, I conclude that language play can be used to create

peculiar names without losing the real meaning. Furthermore, I consider that

linguistic approaches will help us to find the meaning which can be related to

literary elements. It arouses the viewers’ interest to be more curious about each

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bauer, Laurie. English Word Formation. Cambridge: Cambridge University

Press, 1983.

Crystal, David. Language Play. London:The Penguin Group, 1998.

Crane, L. Ben, Edward Yeager, and Randal L.Whitman. An Introduction to

Linguistics. Canada: Little, Brown & Company (Canada) Limited, 1981.

Eastman, Richard M. A Guide to the Novel. San Fransisco: Chandler Publishing

Co. 1965.

Hurford, James R., and Brendan Heasly. Semantics: A Coursebook. Cambridge:

Cambridge University Press, 1983.

Jones, Daniel, A.C. Gimson, and Susan Ramsaran. English Pronouncing

Dictionary. London and Melbourne: J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd., 1988.

Nash, Walter. The Language of Humour. New York: Longman Group, Inc., 1994.

Perrine, Laurence. Story and Structure. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,

Inc., 1974.

Reaske, Christopher Russell. How to Analyze Drama. New York: Monarch

Press, 1966.

Webster, Merriam. Webster New Explorer Dictionary and Thesaurus.

Springfield: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2005.

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Wikipedia Online. 2007. Associative Meaning. 27 February 2007

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associative_meaning>

Wikipedia Online. 2007. Connotative Meaning. 27 February 2007

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connotative_meaning>

Wikipedia Online. 2007. Etymology. 27 February 2007

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymology>

Wikipedia Online. 2007. Darth Maul. 02 May 2007

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darth_Maul>

Wikipedia Online. 2007. Senator Palpatine. 02 May 2007

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palpatine>

Wikipedia Online. 2007. Queen Amidala. 02 May 2007