Revue d’Études Françaises
No 28 (2024)
p.81-90
DOI : 10.37587/ref.2024.1.06
Le langage et le crime chez Étienne De Greeff, criminologue et romancier
Une des possibilités de la linguistique forensique
Aya Umezawa
Étienne de Greef is a Belgian psychologist and criminologist. He has also written several novels, including Le juge Maury (1956). In this novel, the protagonist is tormented by jealousy towards his adulterous wife. His suffering worsens until one day he cries out in slang.
If we consider the work within the framework of the classic crime novel, it would be possible to view these elements as clues deliberately left by the author. However, it should be noted that this novel was written by an author who is both a psychologist and a criminologist, who asserts that language changes can be observed during the second stage of the criminogenic process. The change in the protagonist's language thus reveals his psychology, in which the criminogenic process is advancing.
An in-depth analysis of the protagonist's speech in this novel suggests a potential synergy between linguistic approaches and forensic science. This is because, in the contemporary context, individuals involved in criminal processes tend to express their thoughts more freely on social media, a trend that is also observed among people who are not involved in such dynamics. Therefore, linguistic specializations cannot be overlooked, especially in mental health assessments.
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