Sociolinguistic and Stylistic Representations of Marital Conflict in Brice Fansi’s Le Silence: A Socio-Stylistic Analysis of Language, Power, and Gender in Francophone African Cinema
Keywords:
Marital conflict, African cinema, code-switching, gender roles, non-verbal communicationAbstract
This study explores how marital conflict is constructed through language, silence, and cinematic technique in Le Silence (2019), a Francophone Cameroonian film directed by Brice Fansi. Set against the backdrop of Cameroon’s multilingual and culturally layered society, the film offers a compelling portrayal of emotional tension within a marriage. While African cinema has received growing scholarly attention, few studies have examined the linguistic and stylistic mechanisms that shape intimate conflict on screen. To address this gap, the study applies a qualitative, interpretative approach grounded in a socio-stylistic framework that draws on sociolinguistics, stylistics, and film semiotics. Transcribed scenes from the film were analyzed for features such as direct and indirect criticism, sarcasm, stonewalling, and code-switching, alongside metaphor, tone, body language, and mise-en-scène. Findings reveal that language and silence function as expressive tools for negotiating power, conveying emotional depth, and reflecting gendered cultural expectations. The husband’s linguistic dominance and emotional detachment contrast with the wife’s vulnerability and expressive appeals, while shifts between French, English, and indigenous languages mark changes in intimacy, authority, and exclusion. Cinematic techniques such as framing, lighting, and pacing reinforce the psychological distance between characters and deepen the emotional impact of their interactions. The study concludes that Le Silence offers a layered and culturally resonant depiction of marital discord, contributing to sociolinguistics by expanding its scope to media analysis, enriching film studies through linguistic insight, and offering practical implications for counseling and education. It recommends interdisciplinary collaboration, media literacy integration, and further research into multilingual cinematic discourse and non-verbal communication.
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