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8 - Authenticity and the Object of Analysis:

Methods of Youth Language Data Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 August 2021

By
Ellen Hurst-Harosh  and
Eyo Offiong Mensah
Edited by
Rajend Mesthrie ,
Ellen Hurst-Harosh  and
Heather Brookes
Rajend Mesthrie
Affiliation:
University of Cape Town
Ellen Hurst-Harosh
Affiliation:
University of Cape Town
Heather Brookes
Affiliation:
University of Cape Town
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Summary

Researchers in the field of youth language in Africa have often been less than explicit about their sources of data and methods of collection. In order to provide recommendations for future research, this chapter reflects on the preceding chapters and highlights some considerations regarding different methods of data collection and different types of data on youth language practices. We consider naturalistic data and authenticity in youth language data. We present examples of data outcomes from a South African project that captured data on Tsotsitaal, and we also consider the methods presented in the chapters in this book in order to further illustrate the wide range of data outcomes in youth language research. The chapter makes the argument that the most important move is to define the object of analysis – and that it cannot be simplistically described as 'youth language'.

Keywords

youth languageTsotsitaalresearch methodsnaturalistic dataauthenticitystylect
Type
Chapter
Information
Youth Language Practices and Urban Language Contact in Africa , pp. 182 - 200
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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