Adolescent language as affectively coded behavior: findings of an observational research project

This study aims to formulate a minimal typology of the speech-programming categories of adolescent language. In all, thirty-six adolescents (ages 13 to 18) living in the city of Toronto were recorded both in spontaneous conversational settings and in formal interview sessions. The ensuing analysis of these recordings led to the postulation of three basic categories: emotive, connotative, and socially coded language programming. These categories can be seen to provide a framework within which to conduct more specific kinds of research on adolescent language.