The Soldier's Language

Frederick Elkin

10 citations0/0 files storedAmerican Journal of Sociology

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Linguistic and Sociocultural Studies Military history and social perspectives Swearing, Euphemism, Multilingualism

Abstract

Popular works by stressing uncommonly used "substitute expressions" and by omitting profanity give a false picture of the soldier's language. The language, assumed to be functional, is unconsciously learned and changes to befit new experiences and thus is valuable as source material for studying the soldier's adjustment. The language reflects (1) the soldier's self-image of solidarity, freedom from social restraint, and strength and (2) his attitude to authority. The expressions indicate that the soldier dislikes authority but accepts it with varying degrees of resignation, bitterness, and satire.

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2012The Military and Militarism in Israeli Society 1990‘No More Heroes’?: Masculinity, Violence and the Civilising Process

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