I Can't Even Because Language: Investigating Attitudes Towards Internet Phrases in Speech Open Access

Abstract

This study examines how the Internet-engendered phrases I can't even and because X are used in the speech of Emory undergraduate students, what the prevailing attitudes towards them are and how these attitudes affect their use, and how they function as markers of group membership. Based on previous work on Internet language (e.g., Crystal, 2011; Tagliamonte and Denis, 2008) and sociolinguistic examinations of novel speech features (e.g., Buchstaller, 2014), this study undertakes a twofold data collection methodology involving a survey measure followed by three in-depth focus groups to gather detailed information about the reported use of these phrases. The findings of the study indicated that both I can't even and because X function as tersely worded, efficient "conversation enders" associated with conveying humor. The use of both is dependent on understanding of reference; however, I can't even is more stigmatized and indicated to be used only humorously and ironically or to mock the speech of young, white females, while because X is not reported to carry either stigma or prestige or to be associated with any particular group of people. The lack of stigma for because X and its grammatical function seems to indicate that this is a more productive, lasting construction, while the notoriety of the stereotype associated with I can't even undermines its productivity.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Theoretical Background 11

Methods 24

Results 28

Discussion 53

Conclusion 68

References 71

Appendix A: Survey 75

Appendix B: Descriptive measures of survey respondents 80

Appendix C: Key areas of analysis and example words for survey and focus groups 81

Appendix D: Interview schedule 83

Appendix E: Focus group participant demographics 84

Appendix F: Focus group transcriptions 85

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Psychology and Linguistics
Degree	BA
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Language, Linguistics
Keyword	language innovation linguistics slang Internet language change
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Tamasi, Susan L, Emory University
Committee Members	Hardy, Jack , Emory University Bell, Stacy A, Emory University Barber, Jessica M, Emory University

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