On the lexis of the sociolect of sexual minorities

Abstract

Homosexual, bisexual, and transgender persons (collectively labelled sexual minorities) have created a characteristic sociolect, whose most conspicuous aspect is its lexis. The major criterion for identifying the words and expressions of the sociolect in relation to standard Polish is the former’s differential nature with regard to the latter. The present study collects and characterizes the otherwise dispersed lexis of the sociolect. Within the lexis, the most numerous group are (semantic and word-formational) neologisms, while (internal and external, esp. English) borrowings are not so frequent. It is concluded that the slang of Polish sexual minorities has above all an integrating function and facilitates expressive communication among the members of the group. It is also “professional”, in a certain understanding of the term, while its weakest function is that of blocking out-group communication.