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Article published In: Revista Española de Lingüística Aplicada/Spanish Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 30:1 (2017) ► pp.74–103

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Anglicisms and word axiology in homosexual language

 | University of Castilla-La Mancha
 | University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Published online: 23 November 2017
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https://doi.org/10.1075/resla.30.1.04cre
Abstract
Among those areas linked to the forbidden, homosexuality has traditionally met one of the strongest interdictions. Given the taboo nature of homosexuality, it is our purpose in this paper to gain an insight into the axiological values that anglicisms present in the Spanish homosexual vocabulary. The analysis of the different types of anglicisms in a sample of 253 English borrowings reveals that pure anglicisms (including clippings and initialisms) are the most frequently used, followed by pseudoanglicisms. Calques, hybrids and adapted anglicisms are used less often to refer to homosexuality. The research carried out reveals that anglicized units perform different X-phemistic functions in homosexual discourse: not only that of softening or avoiding the use of a taboo term in Spanish but also displaying in-group solidarity or referring to homosexuality disparagingly. Homosexual-related anglicisms promote innovative uses of the Spanish language and provide evidence of a special kind of language used by homosexuals.
Resumen
La homosexualidad es uno de los ámbitos más asociados a lo prohibido y sujetos a interdicción. Dada la naturaleza tabú de la homosexualidad, en este artículo se analizan los valores axiológicos que presentan los anglicismos ligados al lenguaje homosexual. El estudio de los distintos tipos de anglicismos en una muestra de 253 préstamos revela que los anglicismos crudos (incluyendo acortamientos léxicos y siglas) son los más empleados, seguidos de los pseudoanglicismos. Este trabajo pone de relieve las funciones X-femísticas por parte de los préstamos del inglés en el discurso homosexual: no solo la función de evitar o hacer menos mal sonante el uso del tabú lingüístico en español, sino además la de crear solidaridad dentro del grupo o referirse a la homosexualidad peyorativamente. Estos vocablos, tanto adaptados como de nueva acuñación, promueven usos creativos del léxico en español y reflejan un tipo de lenguaje especial empleado por los homosexuales.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Anglicism and X-phemism
    • 2.1Anglicisms and their typology
    • 2.2X-phemism and X-phemistic categories
  • 3.Data and methodology
  • 4.Analysis and discussion
    • 4.1Euphemistic anglicisms
    • 4.2Quasieuphemistic anglicisms
    • 4.3Dysphemistic anglicisms
  • 5.Conclusions
  • Notes
  • References
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