Introduction
Language, as a form of communication and the basis of social connections, is influenced by various social factors. Individuals can use different kinds of language to establish positive communication with people from other social groups or present themselves in a specific light. Furthermore, cultural and ethnic background have a significant influence on an individual’s use of language.
On the contrary, some people may prefer using the same form of language when communicating with others to demonstrate their denial and fit into social norms. In modern media, such behavior can often be associated with the stigmatized social category of nerds.
Languaculture of Nerds
Nerd Stereotype
Firstly, exploring the type of language used by nerds requires developing a basic understanding of the nerd stereotype. While the word’s etymology remains unclear, it is mainly used as a generic term for “intellectual overachievers and social underachievers” (Bucholtz, 2001, p. 85). Nerds are generally associated with antisocial behavior, resulting in their resistance to current trends popular among their peers or negative approach toward the mainstream culture.
However, a deeper study of the nerd stereotype determines that while its primary dimensions are not contextualized, they are ideologically gendered and racialized (Bucholtz, 2001). Therefore, in addition to demonstrating the rejection of social norms supported by their peers, nerds generally base their behavior on the attitude demonstrated by typical representatives of their stereotype, white men.
Nerd Culture as Response to Black Culture
Many trends in American youth culture are sourced from African-American influence in music, dancing, sports, and Black cultural practices. When the trends are closely integrated into popular culture, they become deracialized and gradually lose their urban origins. Such trends are then adopted by youth and often become associated with coolness. Therefore, one can conclude that the language related to ‘coolness’ in teenagers presents a deracialized product of Black urban culture.
Nerds’ Superstandard English
On the contrary, in application to the use of language, nerds’ rejection of current trends and youth culture results in practices that can be associated with white culture. However, sometimes, nerds prefer using an even more complicated form of formal Standard English language, which can be characterized as “Superstandard English” (Bucholtz, 2001, p. 88). Thus, compared with Standard English, the Superstandard type used by nerds utilizes more strict rules of articulation and grammar, resulting in its dramatic difference from the language used by ordinary teenagers.
Initially, the nerd stereotype was primarily used in a negative way to make fun of people who are intellectually superior to those around them but lack social skills. However, in modern media, nerds are often portrayed as people misunderstood by society. Moreover, while the initial stereotype prioritized nerds’ interest in academic activities, a more modern take on the type allows nerds to show interest in other niche activities, such as tabletop role-playing games. The expansion of the stereotype favors the integration of additional language elements in nerds’ use of Superstandard English, such as terms from fantasy games and literature.
Media Example of Nerd Culture
One of the significant examples of a more modern understanding of the nerd stereotype is the popular show Stranger Things. The story follows a group of friends who investigate the mystery behind their friend’s sudden disappearance and uncover the secrets of a government experiment conducted in a laboratory near the town. The story integrates the elements of fantasy role-play games with science fiction, which suits the interests of the main characters, who peers perceive as a group of nerds. The show interestingly points to nerds’ inability to maintain reliable relationships with other people who do not share their interests. Thus, in search of a scientific explanation for their findings, the main characters often turn to the only adult representative of their stereotype they can trust, their science teacher.
The media example that shows the use of language that I find significant and interesting presents a segment of the show where the science teacher explains the multiverse theory to the main characters. The language used by the characters in the scene demonstrates their mutual respect, similar to the attitude that researchers show to other scientists. However, it also reflects the difference in communication between an individual who can be characterized as a nerd by his profession and status and those who are classified as nerds by their interests.
Firstly, the conversation starts with one of the characters directly referencing popular science writer Carl Sagan’s book, which makes the conversation different from an ordinary exchange between pre-teens (Mr. Clarke explains Upside Down, 2020). Next, the teacher asks if the discussion is related to different interpretations of the world but faces misunderstanding from the group due to complicated terminology used by scientists, inaccessible to nerds (Mr. Clarke explains Upside Down, 2020). Continuing the conversation, one of the characters switches to terminology from a role-playing game, which is understandable to both parties.
Conclusion
Thus, the media example draws several different conclusions about nerds’ characteristic use of the English language. First, nerds feel more comfortable with people who share their interests and use Superstandard English in conversations. In application to the characters from the show, they perceive the teacher’s use of Standard and Superstandard language in communication as a sign of mutual respect and his unwillingness to interfere in their activities.
Therefore, the group chooses the teacher’s valuable insight over turning to other adults and parents for help. Next, the example shows the difference in language used by professional scientists and nerds interested in science. Lastly, the example shows that in addition to rejecting popular trends in the use of language in communication with each other, nerds can also use accessible terminology from shared interests.
References
Bucholtz, M. (2001). The whiteness of nerds: Superstandard English and racial markedness. Journal of Linguistic Anthropology, 11(1), 84-100.
Madmax Harrington. (2020). Stranger Things season 1: Mr. Clarke explains to Mike, Dustin and Lucas about the Upside Down. YouTube. Web.
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