Sexuality and Language - Polari Flashcards
Who did research into Polari?
Paul Baker
What did his research focus on?
A variety used between the 1930s and 1970s which differed from the lexicon used in Standard English
Who was it predominantly used by and where was it found?
Gay men
Centred around London
Marchant Navy
Theatre
What kind of language was it considered to be?
Variety of slang
Considered an “anti-language”
Where did it’s lexicon come from?
Borrowings, mainly european (French, Italian, Spanish) Other sociolects (American air force slang, Criminal and drug slang)
How were some of the words coined?
Through rhyming slang or backslang
What is backslang?
The creation of a new word by spelling and pronouncing it backwards
Examples of Polari lexicon:
Bitch Camp Bevvy Fantabulosa Ecaf/Eek Mangarie
Why is some of the lexicon familiar?
Because it has entered into mainstream language. This could be the cause in the change of social attitudes towards homosexuals as Polari words have also been accepted into “standard” language
Explanation of coinage “bevvy”
Meaning: drink
abbreviation of noun beverage
Explanation of coinage “bitch”
Meaning: to complain
undergone semantic change: female dog >Polari meaning > mainstream meaning
also undergone conversion into a verb “to bitch”
When was Polari popular?
Surfaced in 30s
Went “underground” in 70s and 80s
Resurfaced in 90s
