SOCIAL GROUPS TERMS

Accommodation

How people adjust their speech behaviours to match others; this can be aspects of accent, grammar, vocabulary and even the style of speech delivery.

Anti-language

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

Discourse community

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

Divergence

When an individual changes their language choices (usually temporarily) to become more dissimiliar to another individual or group.

Downwards convergence

A speaker's emphasis on the non-standard aspects of their speech emphasising the covert prestige of non-standard forms.

Face

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

Face threatening act

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

Field specific lexis

Vocabulary that is only related to a particular field or work activity.

Idiolect

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

Interactional speech

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

Jargon

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

Lavender linguistics

The study of LGBTQ+ language.

Mode

The medium of communication, which divides fundamentally into speech and writing.

Multiplexity

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

Negative politeness

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.

Non-standard English

Not conforming to the recognised way of speaking or writing.

Off-Record (indirect)

The use of indirect language by a speaker to remove the potential of being imposing.

Oppressive discourse strategy

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'.

Politeness strategies

Speech acts that express concern for others and minimise threats to self-esteem ("face") in particular social contexts - there are positive and negative politeness strategies.

Positive politeness

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 (e.g. Please).

Repressive discourse strategy

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

Slang

Words, expressions and meanings that are informal and used by people in similar social groups.

Small talk

polite conversation about unimportant or uncontroversial matters, especially as engaged in on social occasions.

Social network

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

Sociolect

Variation in language use associated with membership of a particular social group.

Standard English

The form of the English language widely accepted as the correct form of speaking and writing.

Taboo

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

Tag question

A short question added at the end of a sentence, often inviting agreement with the speaker. Sometimes seen to be used as seeking reassurance.

Transactional speech

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

Upwards convergence

A speakers emphasis on the standard aspects of their speech emphasising the prestige of standard forms.

Polari

Lexicon derived from a variety of sources, classed as an anti-lang/sociology/lang variety.

Who uses Polari?

Gay men, lesbians, theatre people, sea queens etc

Was Polari recorded?

No, passed down by word of mouth, which created many versions.

Which show did it appear on and what was the effect?

Round the Horne, a 1960s BBC Radio comedy. It was effectively the languages 'swan song' as the secrecy was removed.

What are some examples of Polari words?

Drag\= clothing, vada\= to look, awful\= cod

Where and when was it used?

Mostly in the 1920s-60s where gay men congregated/worked.

Who invented the term anti language?

Michael Halliday, 1978.