Language and self-representation

Language and self-representation explores how individuals use language to construct, negotiate, and present their identities in various contexts. This topic is central to the WJEC A-Level English Language specification, as it examines the relationship between language choices and the performance of self. Students analyse how factors such as age, gender, social class, ethnicity, and occupation influence linguistic features, and how speakers adapt their language to project specific identities. The study draws on key sociolinguistic theories, including Goffman's dramaturgical model and accommodation theory, to understand how identity is fluid and context-dependent.

Understanding language and self-representation is crucial because it reveals how power, solidarity, and social meaning are encoded in everyday interactions. For example, a teenager might use slang to signal group membership, while a professional may adopt formal register to convey authority. This topic also connects to broader themes in the course, such as language variation, change, and power. By mastering this area, students can critically analyse real-world texts—from social media profiles to political speeches—and appreciate how language shapes both personal and social identities.

In the WJEC exam, this topic often appears in the analysis of spoken or written data, where students must identify linguistic features and link them to identity construction. It also informs the creative writing component, where students craft texts that reflect a specific persona. A strong grasp of this topic enables students to produce nuanced, evidence-based arguments about how language both reflects and creates identity.