Language and the Self

Goffman Face Theory (1955)

Humans maintain a face (social identity) in conversations.

Positive Face

Desire to be liked and approved of.

Negative Face

Desire to be independent and free from impositions.

Howard Giles Communication Accommodation Theory (1970s)

People adjust their speech style to either converge (become more similar to the listener) or diverge (become different to the listener)

Relevance

Shows awareness of audience and identity in speech.

Micheal Halliday - Functions of Language (1975)

Focuses on how language serves different functions like instrumental (getting needs), imaginative (creativity) interactional (social relationships) regulatory (control), representational (giving facts) personal (expressing identity) heuristic (exploring)

Remember as IIIRRPH, link text to any 1

Deborah Tannen Difference Theory

Different genders have different language uses due to cultural difference.

John Searle Speech Act Theory (1969)

Helps in understanding how people use language to perform identity based acts.

Locutionary

Actual words said

Illocutionary

Intended meaning.

Perlocutionary

Affect on the listener.

Pierre Bourdieu Linguistic Capital Theory (1977)

People gain social power and identity through language use. Codeswitching and register shifting reflect self-presentation and group identity.

Vygotsky Language and Thought (1934)

Language shapes self awareness and thought. Inner speech is key to understanding how individuals develop a sense of self.

Vygotsky Language and Thought (1934) in Daily Life

Daily language relies heavily on hyperbole/ exaggeration due to semantic bleaching.

Semantic Bleaching

Words no longer carry original evaluative meaning, such as ‘wonderful’, ‘excellent’, ‘amazing’.

Code switching

Changing language and style depending on audience.

Idiolect

Individuals unique language style.

Sociolect

Language associated with a social group.

Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory (1979)

identity formed through association with groups. self esteem built through view of own group (in-group) being better than others (out- groups)