Swearing, Slang and Social Media: Colloquial Language and Identity in Victorian High Schools

This study investigates the sociocultural influences affecting the lexical choices of young Australians across three lexical domains: Australian slang, swearing, and youth slang. Using online survey data and recorded commentary from 49 students and 7 teachers across three Victorian high schools, this thesis examines the influence of social media, national identity, teachers, parents, and American and British countercultural groups on the adoption of colloquial expressions. Findings have important implications for the study of Australian slang and youth identity, the longevity of slang, the effect of school behaviour policies on youth swearing and the effect of social media on lexical diffusion.