Abstract This article focuses on the formal codification of the gender-neutral pronoun hen in Norwegian by analysing retrospective narratives from two central staff from the Language Council of Norway as well as two lexicographers in charge of the entry in the Norwegian Standard dictionaries ( Nynorskordboka and Bokmålsordboka ). The analyses employ labeling theory as a theoretical lens and it is situated in the field of language policy and planning (LPP). The participants depict a stepwise process: (1) enquiries and preparations , (2) a period of turmoil with the allocation of power to different actors and (3) publication, reception and acceptance . Beyond this process, a historical shift is described in the power relation in LPP between majority and minority in the language community, which includes an increased respect for a minority’s right to self-labeling, and perhaps also increased attention paid to avoiding linguistic wounding.

Abstract The research focuses on the construction of gay identity in political speech, with particular attention to Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay US presidential candidate. During Buttigieg’s 2020 Presidential campaign, his sexuality received significant attention and sparked controversial reactions. This study employs the combination of Corpus Linguistics (CL) and Discourse Analysis as a fruitful approach for analyzing the formation of identity through language. By combining CL with qualitative inquiries, the study highlights the benefits of triangulation and cross-fertilization of methods that are typically used in isolation. The focus corpus, utilized for identifying keywords and major thematic groups, consists of excerpts from Buttigieg’s political speeches and interviews. Furthermore, the study employs Co-cultural theory to examine the communicative strategies used by Buttigieg in his LGBTQ+-specific political discourses. Buttigieg’s strategies include Emphasizing Commonalities, Mirroring, Communicating Self, Dispelling Stereotypes, Dissociating, and Increasing Visibility, each representing different approaches to identity construction through language. In addition to shedding light on the unique aspects of gay identity construction in political discourse, this research contributes to a better understanding of the electorate’s dissatisfaction with Buttigieg’s campaign, especially among non-heteronormative individuals.

Abstract This qualitative study analyzes three gay Chinese immigrants’ experiences and perspectives regarding English hegemony, internalized oppression, and sexual identity using language ideology, social positioning, and performativity. The findings show that speaking English still determines one’s proximity to American culture, and language ideology affects attitudes towards one’s own culture and language. In particular, the study demonstrates a triple marginalization in which participants are more or less marginalized because their inherited American values clash with their marginality, and at the same time, because of their negative experiences with local gay communities and rejection from their own culture, they feel alienated, displaced, and immobile as a result. Additionally, English learning and interacting with LGBTQ content contribute to their language acquisition, sexual identity transformation, and activism development. Queering ESL education is needed because English learners inherit oppressive English ideologies and show discrimination towards other marginalized groups. As a gateway to American society and cultures, ESL classes present opportunities to raise awareness and challenge hegemonic discourse. Furthermore, ESL classrooms can also be powerful places for queer students whose cultures provide little or no validation of their sexuality to cultivate their cultural competence and affirm their place within society.

Abstract Since their inception in the years following World War II, American puberty videos have discursively manufactured affective distress in several generations of on-screen children. The patterns of talk found in eight films from 1947 to 2016 demonstrate that affect may de-link itself from specific talk and diffuse into a broader discourse through the recirculation of parallel structures in new semiotic spaces. I use queer critical discourse analysis (Jones & Collins 2020) and language socialization theory (Ochs & Schieffelin 2011) to argue that puberty videos first manufacture distress in the on-screen child before swiftly introducing a trusted adult to mitigate and recast distress as a normal part of growing up. Further, puberty videos reify cis- / heteronormativity and reproductive futurity in adulthood as the necessary outcomes of development. This paper explores the connection between affect and temporality in talk by critically attending to the historical stability of American puberty video discourse.

Abstract Sexuality professionals (sexologists) often communicate from a broad perspective of sexuality based on unique training. Cross-cultural code-switching is useful for sexologists to communicate with those who have different sexological worldviews. We discuss the concept of cross-cultural code-switching and its usefulness for sexuality professionals. We consider the theories behind the usefulness of this tactic in one’s work as a sexologist and offer practical considerations for effective code-switching across cultures. We observe the power dynamics in code-switching and offer this theoretical work as a way to raise one’s awareness to these realities of communication in the roles sexuality professionals hold in the world.

Abstract This article reviews Discourses of Global Queer Mobility and the Mediatization of Equality