Having a say: Direct speech representation in Greek youth storytelling

This paper explores speech representation in Greek youth storytelling. In line with approaches that view reported speech as a means of self and other presentation, it investigates how direct speech contributes to bringing forth speakers’ identities. I adopt a quantitative as well a qualitative analysis to address direct speech in terms of different elements of variation, namely speech producers and addressees, gender and status of speech producers and addressees, represented acts and represented interactions. Drawing from the dynamic, constructed nature of speech representation, I argue that the reporting choices of the youths in my data reflect the norms of masculinities and femininities which are in social circulation in their everyday worlds. Direct speech is therefore viewed as a powerful narrative device which contributes to the foregrounding of gender identities and helps sustain social stereotypes. Finally, I observe that the identity repertoire available to speakers is socioculturally determined.

► This paper explores direct speech representation in Greek youth storytelling.
► It employs a quantitative as well as a qualitative analysis of direct speech.
► Direct speech is a powerful narrative feature with multiple functions.
► It brings forth the speakers’ gender identities.
► The inventory of identities available to speakers is socio-culturally determined.