Beki Wika, Beki Diwa: A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Gay Lingua as a Medium of Communication in the LGBTQIA+ Community

Denzel Mark  Ciruela,; Edrian  Escabal,; Ivyjane  Cortes,; Princess Mae  Ybañez,; Jessalyn  Elviña,

Beki Wika, Beki Diwa: A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Gay Lingua as a Medium of Communication in the LGBTQIA+ Community

Edrian Escabal | Denzel Mark Ciruela | Ivyjane Cortes | Princess Mae Ybañez | Jessalyn Elviña

Abstract:

Language is a vital tool in shaping a community's identity. With the emergence of modern forms of communication, Gay Lingua has become a distinctive means of expression within the LGBTQIA+ community. This study analyzed various aspects of Gay Lingua as a form of communication among LGBTQIA+ individuals. It aimed to identify the factors influencing the formation and use of terms in Gay Lingua. The study employed a sociolinguistic approach and content analysis to provide a comprehensive analysis of data gathered through semi-structured interviews, along with the use of the Swadesh list. Through snowball sampling, ten (10) student-participants from the LGBTQIA+ community currently enrolled at Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU) were selected. These informants are active and fluent in using Gay Lingua in their daily communication. Based on the analysis of the collected data, it was found that among the methods of lexical transformation, borrowing from foreign languages and the use of acronyms had the least frequency. It was also revealed that nouns are the most frequently used parts of speech. From these findings, the study recommends the development of a comprehensive glossary of terms used in Gay Lingua. This aims to preserve this unique form of communication, serve as a reference for future studies, and deepen academic understanding of the language and communication practices of the LGBTQIA+ community.

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