Language and Social Groups

• Who discusses features common in teenage talk?

  Anna-Brita Stenstrom
• What are some features that Stenstrom claims are common in teenage talk?

  • Irregular turn-taking
  • Overlaps
  • Indistinct articulation
  • Word shortenings
  • Teasing and name calling
  • Verbal duelling
  • Slang
  • Taboo
  • Language mixing
  • Code switching
• What does Penelope Eckhert suggest about the use of slang among teenagers?

  Slang is used to establish a connection to youth culture and to differentiate from the older generation.
• What does Eckhert mean by saying linguistic change is more common in teenagers?

  Teenagers are more likely to coin new lexical items compared to other age groups.
• What are some typical features of teenage speech according to Eckhert?

  • Use of 'like' and 'okay'
  • Rising intonation
  • Multiple negation
• What does Eckhert claim about the speech differences among adolescents?

  Differences among adolescents are probably far greater than speech differences among any other age group.
• What is a sociolect?

  • A variety of language used by particular social groups.
• What is the view that 'teenage speak' is an inferior version of the English language?

  This view suggests that teenage language lacks the sophistication of standard English.
• What heavily influences the current trends in teenspeak?

  The use of social media sites and various forums for messaging
• How have the boundaries between speech and writing changed in recent years?

  They have become blurred, with speech influencing the register of writing
• What does age-specific use of language refer to?

  It refers to the changing language used during the lifespan of an individual.
• What is a common trend in how people are writing today?


  People are writing how they speak
• What does generation-specific use of language refer to?

  It refers to the language of different cohorts of individuals living within a speech community.
• What recent finding has been made about speakers and written forms?

  Speakers are using written forms, often from text messaging, in their speech
• What did Labov theorize about individuals and their speech patterns?

  Labov theorized that individuals tend to preserve their speech patterns as they move through their lifespan.
• What notable trend has been observed in teen speak regarding text language?

  There has been a notable decline in the use of many linguistic features associated with text language
• Why is the study of generation-specific language important according to Labov?

  It necessarily involves the study of language change.
• What technological changes have influenced teen language?

  Changes such as QWERTY keyboards and autocorrect facilities
• What are the six characteristics that define a discourse community according to John Swales?

  1. A broadly agreed set of common public goals
  2. Mechanisms of intercommunication among its members
  3. Uses participatory mechanisms primarily to provide information and feedback
  4. Utilizes and possesses one or more genres in the communicative furtherance of its aims
  5. Has acquired a specific lexis
  6. Has a threshold level of members with relevant content and discoursal expertise
• What happens if a community does not have all six features defined by Swales?

  It is not considered a discourse community.
• What is an example of a common public goal in a discourse community like Christianity?

  To share their faith and spread the idea of God and good.
• What demographic shift is affecting the use of typical features in teen language?

  There is a shift to an even younger age group using these typical features
• What mechanisms of communication are used in Christianity as a discourse community?

  Church services, online forums, and feedback to higher members.
• What age group did Gary Ives research regarding language use on Instagram?

  A small group of 8-11 year olds
• What specific lexis is associated with the discourse community of Christianity?

  Terms like Bible, prayers, sermons, and church service terms.
• Who discusses the features common in teenage talk?

  Anna-Brita Stenstrom
• What was a key finding from Gary Ives' research on young language users?

  Typical language features associated with technology texts were used extensively
• What is the purpose of the mechanisms of communication in a discourse community like the Cadets?

  To provide information and feedback to higher ranks.
• What are some features that Stenstrom claims are common in teenage talk?

  Irregular turn-taking, overlaps, indistinct articulation, word shortenings, teasing and name calling, verbal duelling, slang, taboo, language mixing, and code switching
• What are some examples of genres utilized by the Cadets discourse community?

  Syllabus (such as first aid) and battle terms.
• What is one feature of teenage talk mentioned by Stenstrom that involves interruptions during conversation?

  Overlaps
• What are some common abbreviations used in teen speak?

  • ur (you’re)
  • shud (should)
  • defo (definitely)
  • gorg (gorgeous)
  • pic (picture)
  • every1 (everyone)
• What did Labov's research focus on in "Principles of Linguistic Change: Social factors"?


  It profiles the leaders of linguistic change and explores how changes are transmitted and stabilized.
• How does Penelope Eckhert describe the role of slang in teenage communication?

  Slang is used to establish a connection to youth culture and to set themselves off from the older generation
• What might influence older children to stop using informal variants of language online?

  They may no longer see it as 'cool' and feel they have grown out of it
• What does Eckhert suggest about linguistic change among teenagers?

  Linguistic change is far more common in teenagers, including the coining of new lexical items
• What factors contribute to leaders in linguistic change according to Labov?

  Upward mobilization, gender, age, education, and popularity.
• What are some typical features of teenage speech according to Eckhert?

  Use of 'like' and 'okay', rising intonation, and multiple negation
• What social factors influence teen language according to the study material?

  Peers and the need to feel part of a group and youth culture
• What does Eckhert claim about the speech differences among adolescents?

  Differences among adolescents are probably far greater than speech differences among the members of any other age group