Introduction to Sociocultural and Linguistic Anthropology

 

Introduction to Sociocultural and Linguistic Anthropology

Introduction

A subculture can be defined as culture within a mainstream of a larger culture, having its distinct values, beliefs, and practices[1]. This minor category of a subculture explains the characteristic behavior of social groups, and defines their practices. Language has been largely used as a way of asserting the identity of an individual, group, or society. It creates one’s distinctiveness as well as character, and collectively, it brings out the relevant practices of a people that believe in the same ideologies[2]. In other words, it encourages social ties which stem from having unique but common identities. One of the most distinct subcultures in the current society today is the gay and lesbian subculture[3]. In Urban China, this subculture features very strongly and has recognizable set of practices, beliefs, customs, and linguistic dimensions. This paper proceeds to critically analyze the linguistic dimensions of this subculture, with a focus on the local, regional, and international aspects.

Description of the Linguistic Dimensions of Gay and Lesbian Subculture of Urban China

The use of language can be used to elaborately articulate the behavior and practices of any subculture, including the gay and lesbian subculture of urban China. This paper identifies how linguistic hegemony has helped shape the beliefs and practices of the subculture, based on its specific dimensions. Just like many subcultures that have existed in the modern culture, the linguistic dimensions of the China-based subculture have undergone different contradictions, considering the aspects of durations and specificities each new segment of the group’s language has been able to assume[4]. The main emphasis that this paper centers on is the continuous slippage that the language of this subculture has been able to make from any sociologically conceived conjuncture[5].

The inheritance of a different language by the socially deviant culture set a very distinct demarcation and led to a diversity of speech groups, being defined by their same-sex practices.         The subculture has always assumed a language that articulates its social practice, so that they are put in the limelight and identified as socially equal beings[6]. Basically, in the contemporary Chinese society, “lesbian” and ‘gay” are not very attractive words, though there are no conscious efforts that have been put in place to preclude individuals from ascribing to such terms as heterosexual and homosexual. In the Chinese media, these acts of same sex are described in the media as a form of perversion, commonly referred to as tongxinglian[7]. This is a condition that has been infused by the naturally existent forms of hierarchy, domination, and discrimination that are relevant in the contemporary social realm of Urban China.

As the community of the same-sex relationships have continued to gain a great deal of popularity among the youth and even queer adults, the members have developed the use of secretive slang and effeminate language. For instance, such terms as “molly” have been used to refer to homosexual men, basically meaning “soft”. Besides, “Bugger” has been used to refer to the perverse act of anal penetration, irrespective of the passive participant’s sex[8]. Many other terms have been used with this subculture, based on whether it is applied locally, globally, or regionally.

The main feature that emerges from the study of the linguistic dimensions of the gay and lesbian subculture of urban China is that the use of secretive language and slang is very definitive and distinctive. An individual is usually identified based on the knowledge of such terms. What is more, just like any other slang, the language of the subculture has been subject to frequent revisions and changes, meaning what has a meaning today may not have the same implication one year later[9]. As the subculture continues to be discriminated and prejudiced on social grounds, its language has continued to become more secretive, such that only members that share the same beliefs and practices are bale to blend in[10]. Moreover, inasmuch as this subculture is specific to urban China, the practices, beliefs, and linguistic dimensions of all gays and lesbians around the globe change in a similar manner, painting the picture of a collective sub-group with strong social identity.

Conclusion

From the information presented herein, it emerges that the language of any subculture is one of its key identity components. Basically, apart from the principal role of being a form of communication, language has emerged as a strong aspect of articulating identities, beliefs, and practices. The gay and lesbian subculture in urban China is distinctive in its aspect of using slang, secretive, and rapidly changing language that is common across the international platform.

 

Bibliography

Norton, Bonny. Identity and Language Learning : Extending the Conversation. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, 2013.

Eckert, Linguistic Variation as Social Practice, 2000.

Schröder, Tobias, et al. “Affective meanings of stereotyped social groups in cross-cultural comparison.” Group Processes & Intergroup Relations 16, no. 6 (November 2013): 717.

Haenfler, Ross. 2013. Subcultures The Basics. [N.p.]: Routledge, 2013.

Duarte, Joana, and Ingrid Gogolin. Linguistic Superdiversity in Urban Areas: Research Approaches. [N.p.]: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2013.

Kristiansen, Gitte, Francisco J. Ruiz de Mendoza Ibáñez, and Caleb Everett. 2013. Linguistic Relativity. [N.p.]: De Gruyter Mouton, 2013.

Ho, Loretta Wing Wah. Gay and Lesbian Subculture in Urban China. London: Routledge, 2009.

Engebretsen, Elisabeth L. Queer Women in Urban China: An Ethnography. [N.p.]: Routledge, 2013.

Kulick, Don. “Gay and lesbian language.” Annual Review Of Anthropology 29, no. 1: 243, 2000.

Baker, Paul. “From gay language to normative discourse: A diachronic corpus analysis of Lavender Linguistics conference abstracts 1994-2012.” Journal Of Language & Sexuality 2, no. 2: 179, 2013.

 

 

 

[1] Haenfler, Ross. Subcultures The Basics. [N.p.]: Routledge, 2013.

 

[2] Norton, Bonny. Identity and Language Learning : Extending the Conversation. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, 2013.

[3] Schröder, Tobias, et al. “Affective meanings of stereotyped social groups in cross-cultural comparison.” Group Processes & Intergroup Relations 16, no. 6 (November 2013): 717.

 

[4] Engebretsen, Elisabeth L. Queer Women in Urban China: An Ethnography. [N.p.]: Routledge, 2013.

[5] Norton Bonny, 24.

 

[6] Eckert. Linguistic Variation as Social Practice, 2000.

[7] Baker, Paul. “From gay language to normative discourse: A diachronic corpus analysis of Lavender Linguistics conference abstracts 1994-2012.” Journal Of Language & Sexuality 2, no. 2: 179, 2013.

[8] Kristiansen, Gitte, Francisco J. Ruiz de Mendoza Ibáñez, and Caleb Everett. Linguistic Relativity. [N.p.]: De Gruyter Mouton, 2013.

[9] Ho, Loretta Wing Wah. Gay and Lesbian Subculture in Urban China. London: Routledge, 2009.

[10] Duarte, Joana, and Ingrid Gogolin. Linguistic Superdiversity in Urban Areas: Research Approaches. [N.p.]: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2013.

 

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