Social Group Analysis

As human beings, we use language to display our identity. According to Bucholtz (2005), identity is the social positioning of self and other (p. 586). Indeed, Carmen Fought (2005) claims that the way we speak fluctuates in order to reveal who we are and who we want to be. Consequently, the way we speak conveys information about its source. For example slang is typically associated with a particular social group or context. It is a language or specific vocabulary that is created within social groups, and by which the individual displays his membership in the group, and is distinguished from the mass. To develop a talk of its own, a social group uses different processes. The use of a different vocabulary is the most common way a social group

I have decided to study this social group, because I am myself a competitive cyclist. I realized that every time I describe how a race went to someone that is not familiar with cycling, they do not understand a single word that I am saying. Thus, I thought it would be interesting to study my own social group in order to understand the origin and impact of words that are commonly used within this group. The cycling community in Boulder is ubiquitous. Boulder is home of many professional cyclists. In addition, many European professional cyclists come to Boulder in the summer to train at altitude. Every year, the city of Boulder also hosts a stage of the US Pro Challenge, which is the second biggest professional bike race in the United States. In this paper, I am going to demonstrate through two conversations and common words how cyclists differentiate themselves from other groups, as well as between recreational cyclist and competitive

Indeed, Europe is considered the heart of cycling, thus Americans have borrowed many words such as “grupetto” or “peloton” from Italian and French respectively. It suggests that Europe is undeniably related to the world of cycling. As an European, I can see that American cyclists want to be like European cyclists. For example, the expression “you look so euro” is widely used among American cyclist to express that someone looks like a professional. Americans use European words, so than they could feel closer to the cycling culture.

As you can see, cyclists have a very specific way of communicating with other cyclists. Most of the time, only people who share an interest in cycling could understand their expressions and slangs. The reason cyclist uses slang is to set themselves apart, so than it becomes difficult for outsider to understand them. The cycling community is not very large, however they are extremely tight-knit. I found that cyclists are very passionate and proud of their sport. Thus, they actually want to be perceived as a particular