FORENSIC LINGUISTICS: AN INTERPRETIVE STUDY OF LANGUAGE IN SUICIDAL NOTES

Abstract

The intent of the research is the interpretive study of language in the suicidal notes under Forensic Linguistics. Pokofyeva’s linguistic features,i.e., clear reasoning, emotional expression, Grammar, Text Structure, and  Punctuation,   are analyzed in the research (2013). Affixing to the Language study, this research classified suicides under the theoretical framework of Durkheim (1987). The classification of suicide is Egoistic Suicide, Anomic Suicide, Altruistic Suicide, and Fatalistic suicide.  This psychological investigation is conducted through the observed linguistic features in the suicidal notes. The research follows the Descriptive Qualitative Method. Three suicidal notes are analyzed, belonging to a Sudanese Photijouranlistr, Kevin Carter (1994); an Austrian Novelist, Stefan Zweig (1942); and an American Entrepreneur, George Eastman (1932). The observations reveal that the most prevalent clear reason in the suicidal notes is Traumatic experiences as the driving force behind suicide. In the sentimental expressions, the fear of living and the desire to escape are the most frequent expressions found in the suicidal notes. Under the classification of suicides, anomic suicide is found to be common in all of these suicide notes. This research vitally contributes to the evolution of Forensic Linguistics. It reveals the truth of revolution in the ideation of life to the ideation of death.  This research is limited to the interpretive study of language in suicidal notes, however other insights, are also there, to be addressed in Forensic Linguistics.  The exploration by future researchers on these unaddressed concerns will be constructively evaluated by the audience.