Informal Language: Group Membership And Identity

Words: 556
Pages: 3

Informal language forms a cohesion between Australians, as a marker of in group membership and identity and can also play a role in establishing authority and social distance. Informal lexemes and slang are frequently used by the Prime Minister as a persuasive technique by establishing a sense of intimacy and equality. On the other hand, Australians use profanity and colloquialisms to support in-group membership. Dysphemisms are often used in a ludic manner to build rapport.
The Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, often uses informal and taboo lexemes that are seen as inappropriate and deplorable by the general public and other members of the government, as a way to reduce the social distance between him and the working class. A recent