Chapter 7. The communicative functions of third-person singular pronouns
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Laura Hekanaho
Abstract
This chapter examines the communicative functions of third-person singular pronouns (3PSPs) in the context of self- and other-references. The focus is on transgender contexts, in which 3PSPs have acquired many new functions and associations, such as sharing one’s pronouns upon introduction as a novel way of utilizing 3PSPs in self-reference. Other-references have also gained new context-dependent meanings, e.g. using the wrong pronouns can function as misgendering. Drawing from a thematic analysis of qualitative survey data, the chapter demonstrates how differently cisgender and transgender individuals conceptualize pronouns in relation to one’s identity. Connecting the findings to the broader identity framework by Bucholtz and Hall (2010), the chapter discusses the communicative functions of 3PSPs and the ways in which identities are constructed with pronouns.
Abstract
This chapter examines the communicative functions of third-person singular pronouns (3PSPs) in the context of self- and other-references. The focus is on transgender contexts, in which 3PSPs have acquired many new functions and associations, such as sharing one’s pronouns upon introduction as a novel way of utilizing 3PSPs in self-reference. Other-references have also gained new context-dependent meanings, e.g. using the wrong pronouns can function as misgendering. Drawing from a thematic analysis of qualitative survey data, the chapter demonstrates how differently cisgender and transgender individuals conceptualize pronouns in relation to one’s identity. Connecting the findings to the broader identity framework by Bucholtz and Hall (2010), the chapter discusses the communicative functions of 3PSPs and the ways in which identities are constructed with pronouns.
Chapters in this book
- 日本言語政策学会 / Japan Association for Language Policy. 言語政策 / Language Policy 10. 2014 i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Self- and other-reference in social contexts 1
- Chapter 2. Personal conviction against general knowledge 14
- Chapter 3. Self-reference as an argumentative tool 39
- Chapter 4. The European Union as an in-group in British press and parliamentary debates 62
- Chapter 5. Self- and other-positioning in eighteenth‑century newspapers 89
- Chapter 6. Intragroup marginalization in social media 114
- Chapter 7. The communicative functions of third-person singular pronouns 138
- Chapter 8. Positioning the self and other in English lingua franca interactions 166
- Index 193
Chapters in this book
- 日本言語政策学会 / Japan Association for Language Policy. 言語政策 / Language Policy 10. 2014 i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Self- and other-reference in social contexts 1
- Chapter 2. Personal conviction against general knowledge 14
- Chapter 3. Self-reference as an argumentative tool 39
- Chapter 4. The European Union as an in-group in British press and parliamentary debates 62
- Chapter 5. Self- and other-positioning in eighteenth‑century newspapers 89
- Chapter 6. Intragroup marginalization in social media 114
- Chapter 7. The communicative functions of third-person singular pronouns 138
- Chapter 8. Positioning the self and other in English lingua franca interactions 166
- Index 193
