Talk:Buffyspeak

Some changes

@WordyAndNerdy I have restored some of what you removed, because (i) your revised definition is less helpful, not describing what Buffyspeak is like, only where it occurs; (ii) I have frequently seen this used online (and I think even academically) beyond Buffy to refer to that slangy teenagey chit-chat style in general, e.g. modern Doctor Who's "wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey", and perhaps stuff like Firefly (can't say I watch much TV) — use RFV if this is an issue; (iii) the synonym Whedonspeak would seem to refer to Whedon's characteristic style rather than only one series he has worked on. Equinox ◑ 12:11, 15 April 2020 (UTC)

Not a useful citation as such, but supporting my point:

• 2019, Juliette C. Kitchens, ‎Julie L. Hawk, Transmediating the Whedonverse(s) (page 152)

  Buffyspeak has also rhizomatically traversed into other shows, both within and beyond the Whedonverse; for example, the similar use of language by Topher in Dollhouse (2009–2010) and the teenagers of Caprica (2009–2010).

Equinox ◑ 13:02, 15 April 2020 (UTC)

1. I was concerned that trying to qualitatively describe Buffyspeak ran the risk of conveying a value judgment within the definition. It's why I chose the description "novel." I thought it effectively communicated that the slang was invented by TV writers (i.e., not a natural product of actual youth culture), but avoided the pitfalls of descriptions like "vague" or "creative," which could be read as either criticism or praise of the writing.

2. Most of the citations I found seemed to use Buffyspeak in the first sense. But the citations you've provided do support there being at least one additional sense. I think this could be handled in a "by extension" manner, since the second sense is obviously a product of the first: "(by extension) a type of casual, youth culture-influenced dialogue used in other fictional media, which mimics or resembles the invented slang of Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Or maybe "Valley Girl-influenced" instead? That's something that seems to be supported by a number of citations.

Just some thoughts. ("Rhizomatically traverse" is certainly an interesting way to say "spread out.") WordyAndNerdy (talk) 14:06, 22 April 2020 (UTC)

Anything new can be "novel", but not everything new is Buffyspeak! (Dickensian sense 2 tells you more or less what you can expect from Dickens.) BTW, that "rhizomatically" is some sort of Deleuzian thing. Equinox ◑ 14:42, 22 April 2020 (UTC)

Fair point. Tweaked the first def. WordyAndNerdy (talk) 03:42, 24 April 2020 (UTC)