Word norms and measures of linguistic reclamation for LGBTQ+ slurs

Edmondson, DJ

Abstract

While databases of taboo language word norms exist, none focus specifically on slurs as a category of taboo language. Furthermore, no existing databases include measures of linguistic reclamation, a phenomenon which may specifically affect the processing of slurs. I produced a database in which 155 native or near-native speakers of British English rated 41 LGBTQ+ slurs for a number of word properties and measures of linguistic reclamation. I then ran correlation and demographic group comparison analyses on the resulting database. I found a clear correlation pattern between properties and reclamation behaviours. I also found that there were age-related differences in age of acquisition and familiarity ratings; that gender identity and sexual identity differences were affected by being the target of slurs; and that sexual identity particularly affected differences in reclamation ratings.

Citation

Edmondson, D. (2022). Word norms and measures of linguistic reclamation for LGBTQ+ slurs. Pragmatics and Cognition, 28(1), 193-221. https://doi.org/10.1075/pc.00023.edm

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 8, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Mar 16, 2022
• Publication Date: Mar 16, 2022
• Deposit Date: Nov 22, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 18, 2022
• Journal: Pragmatics & Cognition
• Print ISSN: 0929-0907
• Electronic ISSN: 1569-9943
• Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 193-221
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/pc.00023.edm
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1075/pc.00023.edm
• Related Public URLs: https://www.jbe-platform.com/content/journals/10.1075/pc.00023.edm