Social Groups

Question 1

What is a Discourse Community?

Answer 1

A group of people with shared interests and belief systems who are likely to use language in similar ways.

Question 2

What is Goffman’s Face Theory?

Answer 2

The concept that all communication relies on presenting a ‘face’ to listeners and audiences.

Question 3

What is a Face Threatening Act?

Answer 3

An act which challenges the face of another participant in the conversation.

Question 4

What is an Idiolect?

Answer 4

Variation in language use which is specific to a particular person.

Question 5

What is Interactional Speech?

Answer 5

Communication that primarily severs the purpose of social interaction, e.g. small talk and conversation.

Question 6

What is Jargon?

Answer 6

The vocabulary and manner of speech that define and reflect a particular profession which may be difficult for others to understand.

Question 7

What is Lavendar Linguistics?

Answer 7

The study of LGBTQ+ language.

Question 8

What is Multiplexity?

Answer 8

The number of separate social connects between any two people. A single tie between individuals, such as a shared workplace, is a uniplex relationship.

Question 9

What is Polari?

Answer 9

A coded language used by the gay community established to prevent discrimination against homosexuality

Question 10

What is Negative Politeness?

Answer 10

A way to make a request without giving offence by showing deference – often shown through hedging (a word or phrase that makes a statement less forceful or assertive), questioning and presenting disagreements as opinions.

Question 11

What is an Oppressive Discourse Strategy?

Answer 11

Commonly used by superiors in conversation as a method of exerting their power. The use of direct language e.g. telling someone with less power within the group to ‘shut up’.

Question 12

What is Positive Politeness?

Answer 12

A way to make a request without giving offence by highlighting friendliness – often shown through compliments, common ground, jokes, tag questions, honorifics (title of address such as Mrs) and specific discourse markers (please).

Question 13

What is a Repressive Discourse Strategy?

Answer 13

Power is displayed more subtly, and can go unnoticed in conversation. Indirect language is used, and social standing is subconsciously demonstrated. e.g. a group member stating ‘they prefer the quiet’.

Question 14

What is a Social network?

Answer 14

The structure of a particular speech community. Social networks, and the interactions between the members within them, are a driving force behind language change.

Question 15

What is Taboo Language?

Answer 15

A word, topic, or phrase that is social custom to avoid using or discussing as people find them embarrassing or offensive.

Question 16

What is Transactional Speech?

Answer 16

Language which is used to make a transaction, and creates a result. It is different from interactional language which is used to maintain relationships.

Question 17

What did Stenstrom et al identify about Teen Speech?

Answer 17

Common features of teen speak include: slang, irregular turn taking, verbal duelling, overlaps, teasing and name calling, indistinct articulation, taboo and language mixing.

Question 18

What did Martinez identify about Teens vs Adults in language?

Answer 18

Teenagers use more negatives than adults; are more direct and not afraid of face threatening acts. Multiple negation is a common feature of teenage language.

Question 19

What did Jenny Cheshire state language development is based on?

Answer 19

Adult and child language develops in response to important life events such as marriage, child birth and change in social situations.

Question 20

What did Lesley Milroy identify in Belfast?

Answer 20

Social networks are composed of a ‘web of ties’ between individuals. BELFAST

Question 21

What is an Anti-language and who created it?

Answer 21

A minority dialect, or method of communicating, within a minority speech community that excludes members of the main speech community. Michael Halliday

Question 22

What does Penelope Eckert discuss in terms of age?

Answer 22

Argues that three different ways to define age: chronological age (years since birth), biological age (physical maturity) and social age (linked to life events such as marriage and having children).

Question 23

What does Penelope Eckert talk about slang?

Answer 23

Slang is used to connect an individual to youth culture and to disassociate themselves with other generations.

Question 24

What does Unni Berland say about Teenagers use of tags?

Answer 24

Teenagers often use tags such as ‘innit’, ‘right’ and ‘yeah’. ‘Innit’ is used more by working class and ‘yeah’ by middle class.

Question 25

What does Vivian De Klerk talk about young people being able to do?

Answer 25

Younger people have the freedom to challenge linguistic norms; they seek establish new identities. Patterns of speech formed by parents are eroded by patterns within their peer groups.

Question 26

What does Zimmerman state influences teen speak?

Answer 26

Factors that influence teen speak include the media, music, graffiti and new forms of communication.