Sexual+Identity+and+Language

= Introduction to Sexual Identity and Language =

Anthropological linguistics is a field of study dedicated to uncovering the relationship between language and culture. Specifically, the field of sociolinguistics studies how language used in society, how it interacts within the social and political sphere, and how language differs among social variables. The central argument is that language provides context and insight as to what are socially accepted norms within a culture, and how language can reveal cultural attitudes, beliefs, and reactions toward phenomena.

This article addresses the topic of ** sexual identity **, specifically the language used among LGBTQ cultures within Jamaica, South Africa, and Mexico. Language tends to uncover what a particular culture considers to be acceptable and unacceptable identities and behaviors through the terms used to describe them and the shared meaning of the term that exists within the culture.