Abstract
This chapter looks at how identities are constructed in the spoken interaction of two different groups of adolescents aged 13–16. A strong pattern throughout the data I collected is boundaries: the adolescents constantly reproduce the boundaries between themselves and others both as individuals and groups. The reproduction of boundaries we can observe in this data relates to Seltzer’s (1989) notion of ‘comparative acts’, the act of constructing one’s identity against those of others, which, while present through all life stages, is particularly pertinent and active among adolescents.
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© 2009 Anthea Irwin
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Irwin, A. (2009). Now You See Me, Now You Don’t: Adolescents Exploring Deviant Positions. In: Pichler, P., Eppler, E. (eds) Gender and Spoken Interaction. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230280748_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230280748_4
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
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