Gay guys using gay language: Friendship, shared values and the intent-context-effect matrix

McCormack, M.; Wignall, L.; Morris, M.

Abstract

This article draws on in-depth interviews with 35 openly gay male undergraduates from four universities in England to develop an understanding of the changing nature of language related to homosexuality. In addition to finding a diminution in the prevalence of homophobic language, we demonstrate that participants maintain complex and nuanced understandings of phrases that do not use homophobic pejoratives, such as ‘that’s so gay’. The majority of participants rejected the notion that these phrases are inherently homophobic, instead arguing that the intent with which they are said and the context in which they are used are vital in understanding their meaning and effect. We conceptualize an intent-context-effect matrix to understand the interdependency of these variables. Highlighting the situated nature of this matrix, we also demonstrate the importance of the existence of shared norms between those saying and hearing the phrase when interpreting such language.

Citation

McCormack, M., Wignall, L., & Morris, M. (2016). Gay guys using gay language: Friendship, shared values and the intent-context-effect matrix. British Journal of Sociology, 67(4), 747-767. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12203

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 7, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Jul 14, 2016
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Sep 7, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 14, 2018
• Journal: British Journal of Sociology
• Print ISSN: 0007-1315
• Electronic ISSN: 1468-4446
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 67
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 747-767
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12203
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1403260