Representations of British teenage slang in the TV-series "Misfits" - A communicative approach to teenage slang

Abstract

The aim of this essay is to examine the functions of British teenage slang vocabulary from a communicative perspective and to analyse it in the social situations that occur in the TV-series Misfits. The language in Misfits can be considered a representation of the slang usage of British teenagers in general. The aim is based on the assumption that slang is used as an instrument of communication in order to accommodate to the addressee and thus create a bond of solidarity. The material of main importance is the DVD collection of the first two seasons of Misfits and close-caption transcripts. The method is corpusbased and an empiric and explorative case study with an inductive conclusion that is based on the theories of Sociolinguistics in general, and Communication Accommodation Theory in particular. The main results are that slang is used a tool of accommodation by the teenagers in Misfits in order to create and develop their own identity and group solidarity.