Author(s): Dr. S. Kanya Kumari

Abstract: This paper explores the potential of recreational linguistics as an innovative and interdisciplinary tool for discourse analysis in literary studies. Traditionally perceived as a domain of playful language activities such as puns, anagrams, palindromes, and linguistic humour, rebus puzzles, recreational linguistics is re-examined here as a meaningful analytical framework that reveals deeper cognitive, cultural, and ideological dimensions embedded within texts. Drawing on principles from linguistics, cognitive science, and cultural studies, the paper argues that language play is not merely ornamental but constitutes a significant mode of meaning-making that shapes reader interpretation and engagement. The study situates recreational linguistics within contemporary approaches to discourse analysis, demonstrating how playful linguistic structures can uncover implicit power relations, social identities, and cultural narratives in literary discourse. It further highlights the relevance of recreational language practices in the digital age, where memes, hash tags, and online humour function as dynamic forms of discourse. Through selected literary and media examples, the paper illustrates how linguistic creativity operates as a site of negotiation between authorial intent and reader response. Additionally, the paper underscores the pedagogical implications of incorporating recreational linguistics into English language teaching, particularly in enhancing critical thinking, interpretive skills, and student engagement. By bridging the gap between entertainment and analysis, recreational linguistics emerges as a valuable multidisciplinary approach that enriches discourse analysis and redefines the boundaries of literary interpretation in the 21st century.

Keywords: Recreational Linguistics, Discourse Analysis, Interdisciplinary Studies, Literary Theory, Language Play, Digital Humanities, ELT

Article Info: Received: 07 Apr 2026; Received in revised form: 02 May 2026; Accepted: 08 May 2026; Available online: 12 May 2026

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.113.12