Heterosexist words used by Icelandic upper secondary school students

• Published in: Netla
• Main Authors: Aðalsteinsdóttir, Aðalbjörg Eva, Kjaran, Jón Ingvar
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Icelandic
• Published: Menntavísindasvið Háskóla Íslands 2019
• Subjects: Heterosexist vocabulary; heterosexism; homophobia; heteronormativity; gender; secondary school students; Heterósexísk orðanotkun; heterósexismi; hómófóbía; hið gagnkynhneigða regluveldi; kyngervi; framhaldsskólanemendur; Iceland
• Online Access: https://ojs.hi.is/netla/article/view/2965; https://doi.org/10.24270/netla.2019.8

The research is about heterosexist vocabulary among students in Icelandic secondary schools but the vocabulary can take different forms. Researches point to heterosexist vocabulary causing students discomfort but few Icelandic researches exist about the topic. The goal of the research was to describe a specific Icelandic form of this vocabulary. Heterosexist vocabulary in this research consists of both Icelandic words and English loanwords. The vocabulary was defined as the usage of the words fag gi/faggalegt (fag/fagish) to describe a behaviour the speaker does not like or a boy whose behaviour does not adhere to masculine norms, or the word gay to describe a behaviour or a phenomenon that is stupid or out of place. The phrase no homo to underline ones heterosexuality was also considered to be an example of this vocabulary and the words trukkalessa (dyke) and lessa (lezza) to describe a girl whose behaviour does not adhere to feminine norms. Negative words to describe someone who is trans like kynskiptingur (an old term over trans individuals that is not considered appropriate anymore) and transa/tranný (tranny) were also considered to belong to heterosexist vocabulary. The research focuses on the prevalence of heterosexist vocabulary, gender differences in usage, if participants were more or less likely to use the vocabulary in different situations inside of school, on the internet and in other places compared to outside of school and how different forms of the vocabulary affected participants. A questionnaire was used to collect data from participants who were 18 years old or older (n=149) in three Icelandic secondary schools. Of the 149 participants 67 identified as male, 81 identified as female and one identified differently. The average age of participants was 19,9 years old. The schools were all located in the capital area of Iceland and had either class centered education or course-centered education. The prevalence of heterosexist vocabulary was different depending on forms. Participants were least ...