Language, Sexualities and Desires Cross-Cultural Perspectives

Sexualities are perceived, constructed and represented in different ways in various languages and cultures. This collection addresses how people use various linguistic features to construct their sexual identities and relationships and how membership of specific social groups, based on sexual and lifestyle choices, may be signalled through language. The new research presented in the chapters focuses on cross-cultural contexts and is situated within a discussion of current trends and theories in relation to language and sexuality.

SAKIS KYRATZIS is a Senior Lecturer in English Language and Communication at Kingston University. HELEN SAUNTSON is a Lecturer in English Language at the University of Birmingham.

Introduction: Language, Desires and Sexualities--H.Saunston & S.Kyratzis * Sex Talk: Language, Desire, Identity and Beyond--L.Morrish & B.Leap * "Everyone was convinced that we were closet fags": The Role of Heterosexuality in the Construction of Hegemonic Masculinity--J.Coates * "This Sex Thing is such an Important Issue now": Sex Talk and Identities in Three Groups of Adolescent Girls; P.Pichler * The Semantics of Desire: Exploring Desire, Love and Sexuality Through Metaphor--S.Kyratizis * Queering Language: A Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name Comes Out of the Closet--Y.Dröschel * Education, Culture and the Construction of Sexual Identity: An Appraisal Analysis of Lesbian Coming Out Narratives--H.Sauntson * The Transformed Gay Self: The Male Body and Its Scenic Presence as Sites of Gay Self-Enunciation--S.A.Grosse * The Subversive Effect of the Signals of Erotic Text Patterning--M.Hoey * Going 'Back to Basics': Moral Panics about Heterosexual Relationships--L.Litosseliti * Women Like Us: Mediating and Contesting Identity in Lesbian Advice Literature--D.A.Chirrey * Index Introduction: Language, Desires and Sexualities--H.Saunston & S.Kyratzis * Sex Talk: Language, Desire, Identity and Beyond--L.Morrish & B.Leap * "Everyone was convinced that we were closet fags": The Role of Heterosexuality in the Construction of Hegemonic Masculinity--J.Coates * "This Sex Thing is such an Important Issue now": Sex Talk and Identities in Three Groups of Adolescent Girls; P.Pichler * The Semantics of Desire: Exploring Desire, Love and Sexuality Through Metaphor--S.Kyratizis * Queering Language: A Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name Comes Out of the Closet--Y.Dröschel * Education, Culture and the Construction of Sexual Identity: An Appraisal Analysis of Lesbian Coming Out Narratives--H.Sauntson * The Transformed Gay Self: The Male Body and Its Scenic Presence as Sites of Gay Self-Enunciation--S.A.Grosse * The Subversive Effect of the Signals of Erotic Text Patterning--M.Hoey * Going 'Back to Basics': Moral Panics about Heterosexual Relationships--L.Litosseliti * Women Like Us: Mediating and Contesting Identity in Lesbian Advice Literature--D.A.Chirrey * Index