How Does Leonard Use Language Techniques In Blood Brothers

In ‘Unrelated Incidents' and ‘Half-Caste', language is shown to be very important. Both Agard and Leonard, use a variety of language styles, underneath the surface of the poem. Studying it very closely, you can see many similarities and differences and you start to see there perspective of life and the dramatic monologue that portrays the importance of language. Cultural and ethnic background is expressed through their language; to show that there culture is very important to them. The language helps to bring out the meaning of the poem so more people worldwide can empathise with the writers.

In ‘Half Caste', John Agard uses repetition throughout the poem especially the word ‘Half'. For example, "half of mir ear, half of mih eye". The repetition
In ‘Half Caste', only a forward slash and dashes have been used otherwise there is no sign of punctuation. This is evident as it states "…weather/… and half-a-eye". These form of punctuation have been used to break up one stanza to another as the poem is one long argument that is put across all in one go. The forward slashes makes you read on until you get to the end of the poem so you can get Agard's point. His frustration and anger is let out through the poem but in more depth. In ‘Unrelated Incidents' there is more punctuation. This shows the importance of the language because we know when we need to take rests and when to speak again. For example, "…nyooz. belt up." The way the poem is set out is like an autocue used in television when the newsreaders report the news all around the world. The style of language is used deliberately, to show how people believe in BBC RP speakers and not normal people speaking in their different accents and
In ‘Half-Caste' for example, at times the tone is humorous and mocking but at other times it is angry and scathing. The tone shifts from light-hearted to serious between the second and third stanzas. The poem opens with a joke. For example when he says "Half-caste". This is meant as only half a person, so that the speaker is standing on one leg as if the other leg is not there. "Unrelated Incidents" also is humorous and it challenges our prejudices. The argument may be a little naïve but the RP gives creditability to the authority of the newsreaders as it shows them not to just favour one area or region. It is meant to be neutral. This type of tone helps the importance of the language as it shows us the different types of mood that are going through the poem. It helps us to build more of an understanding of this