The title "The Starlight Barking" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ðə ˈstɑːlaɪt ˈbɑːkɪŋ/. The first two letters, "th," are pronounced with the voiced dental fricative sound, indicated as /ð/. This is followed by a schwa sound, indicated with the /ə/ symbol. The word "starlight" is pronounced with a long /ɑː/ sound followed by a soft /t/ sound. Finally, the word "barking" is pronounced with the /b/ consonant sound followed by a short /ɑ/ sound and then the /k/ sound.
The Starlight Barking refers to a novel written by British author Dodie Smith, published in 1967. This term originates from the title of the book, which has later become a commonly recognized literary reference. The Starlight Barking is a work of fiction within the genre of fantasy and is a sequel to Smith's earlier work, The Hundred and One Dalmatians.
This novel follows the adventures of the Dalmatian dogs, originally introduced in The Hundred and One Dalmatians, as they become entangled in a magical occurrence during a midnight phenomenon known as the Starlight Barking. The Starlight Barking is an event where all the dogs from across the world are summoned to gather under a spell cast by Sirius, the Dog Star. The dogs are endowed with the ability to communicate with each other through a telepathic link and understand messages conveyed through the starlight.
The storyline in The Starlight Barking revolves around the dogs' encounters with various challenges and responsibilities during this extraordinary event. They embark on a thrilling journey to protect their beloved human companions from an imminent peril, using their newfound telepathic abilities and teamwork to overcome obstacles. Through the adventures of the canine protagonists, the novel delves into themes of loyalty, friendship, and the power of unity.
As a literary term, "The Starlight Barking" has come to symbolize a notion of extraordinary or enchanting occurrences that bring together individuals or groups for a collective purpose. Its association with Dodie Smith's novel highlights its origin as a fantastical phenomenon in which dogs communicate through telepathy under starlight, showcasing the author's imaginative storytelling prowess.