Police Language Essay

Christopher finds spoken language difficult when too many things are being discussed at once, which can be seen from his reaction to the police interrogating him at the crime scene of the dog’s murder. As the questions were being asked, Christopher had difficulties processing all of them. He reacts to the multiple questions with this line in the book: “He was asking me too many questions and he was asking them too quickly.” Another line to note is “I make this noise when there is too much information coming into my head from the outside world.” These two lines show that he had a very difficult time keeping up with the pacing. This can also apply to other areas, such as jokes. When his father tells him the joke about the curtains, which uses three

It makes him calmer because policemen arresting people is something he is used to, something he has seen on TV and in movies. It’s something he finds predictable, which soothes his jangled nerves.

5. Examine the conversation Christopher overheard in the police car (P9). What do you think he would have difficulty understanding? Can you explain some of the idiomatic language used?

The conversation is between the policeman and the policewoman at the crime scene. The policeman is explaining to the policewoman that he is going to drop off Christopher at the station and get someone else to pick her up. I think Christopher would have a hard time understanding the figurative phrases present, such as “had a pop at me”, “hang on with Mrs. S”, and “swing by” since these phrases deviate from their literal meanings. “Had a pop at” means that someone has attacked someone, “hang on with” means to stay with someone and wait, and “swing by” means to drop by or to stop somewhere quickly.

6. In this narrative Christopher explains many events, but the voice is unusual. Explain why and give examples to support your