Language B | Subcultures

Study Notes: Subcultures (Theme: Identities)

Hello future global citizens! Welcome to the "Identities" theme. This chapter on Subcultures is incredibly useful because it helps us understand not just who we are, but also how we connect (or deliberately disconnect) from the larger society around us. This is vital for developing the intercultural understanding the IB loves!

Don't worry if this seems like a lot of sociology at first. We are focusing on how subcultures express identity through language, style, and media—perfect for your Language B exams!

1. Understanding Subcultures: Defining Identity Groups

We all belong to many groups: our nation, our family, our school. But a subculture is a special kind of group that exists inside a larger society (the mainstream culture) but has its own unique flavour.

What is a Subculture?

A Subculture is a group of people within a culture that differentiates itself from the parent culture to which it belongs, often maintaining some of its founding principles while developing new and unique habits, styles, and values.

Think of the whole culture (e.g., your national culture) as a giant pizza. The main dough and sauce are the shared customs and languages (the Mainstream Culture). A subculture is a specific topping—it uses the same base but adds a distinct taste (its unique slang, fashion, or music taste).

Key Term Distinction:

• Mainstream Culture: The shared, dominant values, norms, and institutions accepted by the majority of people in a society.
• Subculture: A group that largely follows mainstream norms but has specific beliefs, interests, or styles that make it unique (e.g., gamers, sports fans, goths).
• Counterculture (HL Focus): A specific type of subculture that actively and often aggressively rejects key elements of the mainstream culture and seeks to replace them with opposing values (e.g., some radical political movements, certain anti-establishment groups).

2. Elements of Subcultures: Expressing the Self

For Language B, we need to analyze how a subculture expresses its identity. These expressions often become the texts (written, visual, or audio) you analyze in exams.

A. Visual and Aesthetic Identity (Lifestyles)

Appearance is usually the most obvious marker of a subculture. It’s a non-verbal language that immediately communicates "I belong here, and I am different from there."

• Fashion and Style: Specific clothing, tattoos, haircuts, or accessories (e.g., the bright colours of Harajuku youth in Tokyo, the dark clothing of Goth subcultures).
• Symbols and Icons: Objects or images that carry specific meaning only understood by members (e.g., a specific band logo, a certain type of vehicle like a classic motorcycle for a biker club).

Did you know? Subcultural fashion often starts as a form of rebellion but is frequently adopted (or "co-opted") by the mainstream years later, losing its original rebellious meaning.

B. Language and Communication (Beliefs and Values)

Subcultures develop their own linguistic norms to foster a sense of closeness and exclude outsiders. This is a crucial area for Language B analysis.

• Jargon and Slang: Specialized vocabulary unique to the group (e.g., technical terms used by programmers, specific abbreviations used by online communities, or street slang used in hip-hop culture).
• Tone and Register: They may use a very specific tone (e.g., highly formal in academic subcultures or extremely casual and irreverent in certain youth groups).
• Media Channels: They often use specific platforms for communication, such as niche magazines, specific forums, private social media groups, or dedicated podcasts.

C. Shared Values and Beliefs

At their core, subcultures are bound by shared interests or philosophies that challenge or refine mainstream thinking.

• Belief Systems: Specific moral codes or political views (e.g., the focus on DIY (Do It Yourself) ethics in punk culture, or the deep respect for nature in some environmentalist groups).
• Activities: Shared leisure activities that demand special knowledge or dedication (e.g., collecting vintage items, specialized extreme sports, or attending specific musical events).

3. Subcultures and the Formation of Self

The guiding principle of the "Identities" theme asks: "What is it to be human?" Subcultures offer a powerful answer: it is human to seek belonging and to differentiate oneself.

Why Do People Join Subcultures?

Joining a subculture is an active choice that profoundly shapes an individual's identity, especially during formative years.

1. The Need for Belonging: Humans are social creatures. If an individual feels marginalized (on the edges) or misunderstood by the mainstream, they seek a community where they are fully accepted. Subcultures provide this safe haven.
2. Self-Expression: The mainstream culture often demands conformity. Subcultures allow individuals to express their unique tastes, interests, or rebellious spirit through distinct styles and actions (non-conformity).
3. Shared Meaning: Subcultures often provide answers to big questions (about life, society, politics) that the mainstream might ignore or trivialize. This shared sense of purpose strengthens the group's bond (sometimes called cultural tribalism).
4. Reaction to Change: Subcultures often emerge in response to major societal shifts (economic change, new technology, political events). For instance, the rise of digital subcultures is a direct result of globalization and the internet.

Important Point for HL: When writing analytical essays (Paper 1), you can argue that participation in a subculture provides a crucial secondary identity that complements or even replaces the identity imposed by family or state.

4. Language B Application: Analyzing Texts on Subcultures

When you encounter texts related to subcultures (articles, interviews, visual posters), focus on the specific language used by the group and the attitude of the writer towards that group.

Vocabulary to Use When Discussing Subcultures

Use these terms to analyze the content and tone of a text:

• Adhésion / Membership: Joining or belonging to a group.
• Marginalisé(e) / Marginalized: To be treated as insignificant or peripheral.
• Se démarquer / To stand out: To be visibly different.
• Conformité vs. Non-conformité / Conformity vs. Non-conformity: Following rules vs. rejecting rules.
• Créer un lien social / To create a social bond: The primary function of shared subcultural language.
• Identité collective / Collective identity: The identity shared by the group members.

Analyzing Language and Style

Step-by-Step Text Analysis:

1. Identify the Audience: Is the text written by a member (using insider jargon) or about the group (using explanatory or even critical language)?
2. Analyze Tone: Does the writer present the subculture positively (celebrating diversity), neutrally (reporting facts), or negatively (stereotyping or criticizing)?
3. Examine Visuals (if applicable): What specific visual markers (clothing, setting, body language) are used to define the group's identity? How do these images reinforce the core values? (e.g., a picture of a minimalist lifestyle reinforces values of simplicity and anti-consumerism).

Common Mistake to Avoid:

Never treat a subculture as a monolith (one single, unchanging thing). Remember that subcultures are diverse; members have different levels of commitment and different interpretations of the core values. Always use nuanced language like "many members of this group believe..." or "this style tends to be associated with..."