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Teasing in the Linguistic Socialization of Gypsy Children in Hungary

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Acta Linguistica Hungarica

Abstract

Teasing has been demonstrated to be a potentially important, culture-specific means of of linguistic socialization in different linguistic communities and social groups. Structural and pragmatic characteristics of early teasing have been examined in a traditional Romani linguistic community in Hungary. Teasing proved to be widespread from the earliest age on in the speech addressed to Gypsy babies and children. Culturally specific features of early teasing and age-related changes in its patterns are analyzed. As to the acquisition of this discourse skill, Gypsy children seem to recognize and use very early some of the specific "contextualization cues" necessary for the identification of the underlying intention of teasing behind the surface form.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Linguistics Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Színház u. 5-9, H-1250, Budapest, P.O.Box 19, Hungary e-mail

    Zita Réger

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  1. Zita Réger
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Réger, Z. Teasing in the Linguistic Socialization of Gypsy Children in Hungary. Acta Linguistica Hungarica 46, 289–315 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009610125119

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