Verbal Harassment in Selected British Reality TV Shows: A Sociolinguistic Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1509.06Keywords:
reality TV, verbal harassment, sociolinguistics, power dynamics, Big BrotherAbstract
This study conducts a sociolinguistic analysis of verbal harassment in British reality television. It focuses on the reality show Big Brother (first aired in 2000). Through the examination of selected episodes, the study investigates the construction, perception, and representation of verbal harassment within the competitive and unscripted context of reality TV. The study aims to: (1) identify the sociolinguistic structure of verbal harassment in reality TV shows, (2) determine the primary factors that contribute to verbal harassment in Big Brother, and (3) uncover the triggers employed by harassers in these shows. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, the analysis reveals humiliation, insults, and mockery as core structures of verbal harassment, driven by sociolinguistic variables such as power and ethnicity. Findings indicate that power imbalances and lack of empathy are the dominant triggers that result in consequences such as stress, depression, and reduced productivity among victims. This study enhances understanding of the linguistic and social dynamics of harassment in media contexts to highlight the role of reality TV in reflecting and amplifying societal power structures.
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