Starks, Donna and Taylor-Leech, Kerry and Willoughby, Louisa (2012) Nicknames in Australian secondary schools: insights into nicknames and adolescent views of self. In: 42nd Australian Linguistics Society Conference (ALS 2011): Applied Linguistics as a Meeting Place, 1-4 Dec 2011, Canberra, Australia.
Abstract
Seventeen per cent of Australians currently report regularly using a language other than English (Lo Bianco 2009, p. 14). In this multilingual and multicultural context, a study of young people's nicknaming practices is particularly appropriate. Although it widely known that language practices can significantly affect adolescent self image, research studies on young people's naming practices are surprisingly scarce. The only study to date on nicknames in Australia was undertaken by Chevalier (2006) and focuses on the morphological and semantic features of nicknames. Although Chevalier suggests that Australians of non English-speaking backgrounds may differ in their naming practices from other Australians, she makes no reference to adolescent language practices and their role in society. Our research examines naming practices in conjunction with other aspects of language use. Our exploration of initial responses to questionnaire data administered to secondary students of English and non-English speaking backgrounds in Victoria and Queensland schools, will consider: (i) common nicknaming practices; (ii) the relationship between language background and attitudes towards nicknaming amongst adolescents. We end with suggestions for raising awareness of naming practices to promote cultural and linguistic sensitivity amongst Australian high school students.
References
Chevalier, S. 2006. Ava to Zac: A sociolinguistic study of given names and nicknames in Australia. Tubingen: Francke Verlag.
Lo Bianco, J. (2009). Second languages and Australian schooling. Camberwell, Vic: Australian Council for Educational Research.
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