In a novel I'm reading (Umineko no naku koro ni, by Ryukishi07) a child character frequently affirms the existence of a witch named Beatrice (ベアトリーチェ) in anger, as a way of protesting to older boys or adults who make fun of her for still believing in her. She says it like this:
A :「ベアトリーチェが“い”るうー!!」
What could be the equivalent in English? "Beatrice really 'exists'!!"? Or even the English verb should be partially quoted? Are the quotes put on the "い" just in order to emphasize the tone?
Maria (the girl's name) is portrayed as an innocent girl with a very child-like vocabulary, except when the topic of discussion is about black magic. But she doesn't use puns, and the phrase is used when she's acting like an ordinary little girl.
No, those quotations aren't used in any other context.
The story's Umineko Naku Koro Ni by Ryukishi07. I changed the subject of the child's complaining (whose name is Maria), which is a witch named Beatrice (ベアトリーチェ) with the catchphrase being "ベアトリーチェが“い”る!!". I thought without context it would have been enough.
Maria's portrayed as a innocent girl with a very child-like vocabulary, except when the topic of discussion is black magic. But she doesn't use puns, and the phrase is used when she's acting like an ordinary little girl.