This study examines the use of archaic vocabulary (archaisms) and slang in literary discourse and film discourse, using F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925) and its 2013 film adaptation directed by Baz Luhrmann as a case study. Drawing on stylistic and linguistic analysis, the research identifies twelve archaic lexemes and four slang terms in the novel’s text, and investigates which of these were retained or altered in the film’s dialogue. The study contributes to adaptation studies and stylistics by illustrating how linguistic features (archaism and slang) are handled across different media, reflecting broader differences between literary and cinematic discourse.

Discourse, literary discourse, film discourse

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Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. New York, NY: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

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Film:

Luhrmann, B. (Director). (2013). The Great Gatsby [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.