Indexing ‘Chav’ on Social Media Transmodal Performances of Working-Class Subcultures

This book explores the linguistic and social dynamics surrounding the term chav as it is indexed and recontextualized on social media platforms. Drawing from discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, and digital ethnography, it examines how chav operates as a semiotic resource to construct identities, perpetuate stereotypes, and negotiate social boundaries in online interactions. The analysis highlights the intersection of class, gender, and culture in the digital space, revealing how chav is mobilized to stigmatize, reclaim, and redefine social identities in the context of contemporary Britain. By tracing the term's evolution from its origins to its current online usage, the book sheds light on the broader implications of language in mediating power relations and cultural representations in the digital age.