So very really variable: Social patterning of intensifier use by Newfoundlanders online

Authors

  • James Bulgin Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Nicole Elford Memorial Universiry of Newfoundland
  • Lindsay Harding Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Bridget Henley Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Suzanne Power Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Crystal Walters Memorial University of Newfoundland

Keywords:

English language variation, intensifiers, online language use, Newfoundland

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that one of the linguistic tools that individuals use to identify themselves is adjectival intensification (e.g., so cool, very cool, really cool). We assembled and analyzed a corpus of over 3000 intensifiable adjectives (i.e., environments where intensification could occur) extracted from Newfoundland-oriented public internet forums. Statistical analysis of the correlations between intensifier choice social patterning among our speakers led to findings similar to previous studies. So is the most common variant, especially among urban females, while the older variants really and very are favoured in rural areas, especially among males. Conditioning of the less frequent variant fuckin( g) seems to show the persistence of gender distinctions outside urban areas.

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Published

2008-11-20

How to Cite

Bulgin, J., Elford, N., Harding, L., Henley, B., Power, S., & Walters, C. (2008). So very really variable: Social patterning of intensifier use by Newfoundlanders online. Linguistica Atlantica, 29, 101–115. Retrieved from https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/la/article/view/22534

Issue

Vol. 29 (2008)

Section

Articles