Transglossia and Cultural Jamming: Parodies and Group Solidarity

Abstract

In order to better understand the fluidity and dynamics in language created by the multiple codes, modes and resources within genres of popular culture, we argue in this chapter that it is also important to look at multiple cultural and linguistic resources—‘linguistic and cultural jamming’—that young people draw on from different popular culture genres and other generic sources. We further highlight the ways young speakers take up not only linguistic innovations with heavy borrowing from different popular culture genres, but any number of other multiple cultural genres that are pragmatically involved within their daily lives. One particular way in which this occurs is through parodic cultural mixing as these young adults produce exaggerated imitation of others’ styles for comic and humorous effect. These parodies serve not only to mock the original sources and create humour at others’ expense but also create lines of affiliation between and against different groups.