Linguistic Variation and Social Practices of Normative Masculinity: Authority and Multifunctional Humour in a Dublin Sports Club

This book explores how linguistic variation and complex social practices shape male interactional identities in a sports club in Dublin, highlighting the value of studying sporting contexts in advancing sociolinguistic theory. It adopts a participant-informed ethnographic approach to analyze the social interactional contexts within the club and the sociopragmatic and sociophonetic features that contribute to different performances of masculinity. The volume focuses on the linguistic analysis of humor and its multifunctional uses in establishing solidarity, social ties, aggression, competitiveness, and status. Its unique approach combines quantitative data with ethnographically informed insights to examine social meaning in interaction from micro-, meso-, and macro-levels.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate interplay between linguistic variation and complex social practices, shedding light on the formation of male interactional identities within a sports club in Dublin. Through a participant-informed ethnographic approach, the author explores the social contexts within the club and the sociopragmatic and sociophonetic features that shape the diverse performances of masculinity both within and outside the club. The volume specifically focuses on the linguistic analysis of humor, recognizing its multifunctional roles in establishing solidarity, social ties, aggression, competitiveness, and status within the social world of this club and similar sports clubs across Ireland.

The book's unique approach aims to complement and expand existing sociolinguistic studies by combining quantitative data with ethnographically informed insights to examine social meaning in interaction from micro-, meso-, and macro-levels. This interdisciplinary exploration will captivate graduate students and scholars in sociolinguistics, language, gender, and sexuality, as well as language and identity.

The book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of language, society, and identity, highlighting the role of sports clubs as sites of cultural and social transformation. It sheds light on the ways in which language and humor play a crucial role in shaping social relationships, negotiating power dynamics, and constructing identities within these contexts. By examining the linguistic variations and social practices within the sports club, the book contributes to our understanding of the broader sociolinguistic landscape and offers valuable perspectives for future research and analysis.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032336817