Integrating Intersectionality in Language, Gender, and Sexuality Research

Abstract

In this paper, I argue for the need to integrate intersectionality theory more fully in language, gender, and sexuality research. I outline the basic principles of what an intersectional approach to identity and identity‐linked speech entails, focusing particularly on the belief that an adequate description of lived experience, and hence social practice, requires us to consider the ways in which multiple systems of social categorization (e.g., gender and sexuality, race/ethnicity, social class, and place) intersect with one another in dynamic and mutually constitutive ways. I review research on the linguistic perception and production of gender and sexuality that has adopted an intersectional perspective to date and argue that while certain aspects of the theory have long had a foothold in work in this area, the field's engagement with the full ramifications of intersectionality as an analytical framework has been partial. I conclude with suggestions about how to anchor a more comprehensive approach to intersectionality in sociolinguistic research.

Toward a Century of Language Attitudes Research: Looking Back and Moving Forward

“…More attention should also be devoted to intersectionality (see Levon, 2015). People belong to many different social categories, each of which may be conveyed by one or more vocal and nonvocal cues; how the intersectionality of these different identities influences social categorization and speaker perceptions remains understudied in the language attitudes literature (but see Rakić et al, 2020).…”

Voice Changes Meaning: The Role of Gay- Versus Straight-Sounding Voices in Sentence Interpretation

“…This is in line with Badzinski and Gill’s (1994) argument that the interpretation of features such as words and sounds is integrated with the information coming from the source and the context, with the aim of listeners to achieve a coherent interpretation. There is multiple evidence supporting this “social weighted encoding” process: For instance, accent, prosodic patterns, TH-fronting in English or sibilant /s/ can be taken as vocal markers of typical street-talk/city-slang, social status, and SO, respectively (Campbell-Kibler, 2011; Levon, 2015; Mack & Munson, 2012; Pharao, Maegaard, Møller, & Kristiansen, 2014). Similarly, when judging nonstandard accented speakers, listeners use accent and intonation to guess the speaker’s origin and nationality (Dragojevic, Berglund, & Blauvelt, 2018; Gnevsheva, 2016).…”

Where Are You From? An Investigation Into the Intersectionality of Accent Strength and Nationality Status on Perceptions of Nonnative Speakers in Britain

“…In line with intersectionality theory (see Crenshaw, 1989), a person’s language identity and national identity should be recognized as integral to their lived experience, dynamic, and mutually dependent on one another and therefore, should influence speaker perceptions together (see Levon, 2015). As such, to understand how nonnative speakers are perceived, perceptions around the speaker’s national identity should be considered along with the strength of their accent.…”