Sociocultural Linguistics and Sexuality

Abstract

This discussion of the Stomper CoP has argued that interactive moves and language usage are indexical of broader, ideological structures. Although, as outlined in the previous chapter, this CoP differed from those typically studied within sociolinguistic research (existing in isolation from other CoPs and being removed from any physical institutional boundaries), the women’s engagement together has been shown to facilitate the construction of shared, multifaceted, contextually specific (and therefore changeable) identities. The Stompers’ use of prevalent stereotypes and ideologies within lesbian and gay culture more broadly has been revealed, such as their construction of the personae Dyke and Girl via the categories ‘butch’ and ‘femme’ and their reproduction of generationally specific ideals around feminism and queer politics. In this sense, they have been shown to create local-level personae in relation to wider sociocultural structures. This book has aimed to explore and understand the relationships between the CoP and the broader ideologies which influenced them and, through the implementation of a sociocultural linguistics framework paired with discourse analysis, it has been possible to do this.