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Language has the capacity to be formulated to satisfy the dual components of establishing a sense of solidarity and belonging as well as reinforcing a distance and authority, simply even with in the same sentence. Our identity as individuals, groups and as a nation is publicly expressed in our lexical choices. This is evident through the inclusion of Australian colloquialism "selfish boofheads" in the declarative spoken by NSW police minister, "What we saw today was 3500 selfish boofheads". This example is concerned with the NSW police minister, David Elliot addressing viewers of a press conference in response to lockdown protests that had recently occurred. Specifically the colloquial noun "boofheads" is identified as being chosen in attempts to display that he himself stands with those civilians who agree that the protest was ignorant thus establishes a sense of solidarity. Furthermore analytically, Elliot is in a position of authority and has resorted to the use of covert norms when expected to adhere by overt norms and levels of formality surrounding the manner in which government members are to communicate with the civilians they address.

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Language can be used to establish a sense of solidarity by expressing a shared value or belief and thus creating a sense of belonging. A major aspect of the Australian identity is the emphasis on informality, this feature can be observed in the pervasiveness of Australians using language in the informal register. Even in areas of public language, such as politics, informal language is sometimes employed. For instance, David Elliott, the NSW Police Minister, used the Australian colloquial noun "boofheads" in a press conference to describe participants in the recent anti-lockdown protests in Sydney. By using language in line with a central part of the Australian national identity, informality, Elliott was able to establish a sense of solidarity between himself and other Australians who watched the press conference or read the statement on another platform. Conversely, language can also be used to reinforce social distance and authority through the use of formal language. A government sign, informing people that they must wear a mask on public transport, was written in the formal register to reflect the seriousness and importance of the signs purpose, the enforcement of public health orders during the covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the message was written as an imperative containing the high modality verb "must" to emphasise that the command must be followed, thus reinforcing the social distance between the government and the Australian public, reinforcing the government's authority on covid-19 restrictions.

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Through the use of language, people are able to fulfil different functions and convey intentions such as build solidarity as well as reinforce social distance and authority. In a recent government notice regarding COVID-19 regulations, the notice uses the imperative sentence type and high modality verbs to reinforces the text’s social purpose of establishing authority. By using a command and the modal verb “must”, reinforces the certainty and necessity to follow the rules which helps establish the government’s authority by reinforcing the social distance. Language can also be used to simultaneously evoke a sense of belonging and establish authority. This is evident in a government press conference, where NSW police minister David Elliot refers to protesters against the Sydney lockdown as “very selfish boofheads”. Through this Australian pejorative, Elliot builds solidarity with the Australian public, who disagree with the actions of protesters, by depicting himself as down to earth and informal, whilst also reinforcing authority through condemning the actions of the protesters.

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As a marker of identity, and in the case of an informal register, language is quite effective in building solidarity and creating a sense of belonging. In Australia, colloquialisms is instrumental to establishing solidarity, and does so by making a strong connection to what is considered an Australian’s national identity. Australian politicians also often use colloquial language in press conferences and other such situations where a highly formal register and language is more often in use to close social distances. Recently, NSW Police Minister David Elliott referred to anti-lockdown protestors as "very selfish boofheads" in press conference. The highly informal colloquial noun 'boofhead' assisted Elliot in the social purpose of building rapport with Australians who felt just as frustrated with the situation. On the other hand, a formal register aids in reinforcing authority and social distance. In a government message posted on Instagram, the strong modal verb "must" insinuates a command and instructs all Australians to "wear a face mask while travelling”. This blunt and forceful imperative sentence challenges the negative face needs of Australian citizens and establishes the authority of the Australian government, all the while enhancing the social distance between it and its constituents.

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Language can be used to build solidarity by using inclusive informal language such as the colloquial noun "boofhead" used by the NSW police minister David Elliot to establish solidarity with the Australian people while persuading them that the people who were involved in anti-lockdown protestors were wrong for doing so. On the other hand more formal language can establish authority and challenge negative face needs by the use of modal verbs such as 'must' in an advertisement on PTV saying "you must wear a facemask at all times" which reinforces authority by showing there's no room for negotiation.

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Through the use of taboo language, such as “wankers” this builds solidarity with the wider audience as it reflects the laid-back Australian identity that is known for its informal language use. The term, “wankers” challenges the negative face needs of the Victorians who illegally arrived in the Northern Territory as the vocative is meant to cause offence. By doing so, it increases the social distance between the Victorians breaking the rules and the chief minister by reinforcing his authority through the use of the demeaning term.

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Language as a marker of identity is extremely effective in building solidarity and creating a sense of belonging, yet the use of a formal register reinforces authority and social distance. Particularly in Australia, the use of colloquialisms is instrumental in establishing solidarity by making a strong connection to the national identity. NSW Police Minister David Elliott recently referred to anti-lockdown protestors as "very selfish boofheads" – this highly informal colloquial noun 'boofhead' helped to establish solidarity with other Australians who were feeling equally frustrated with the situation. Conversely, the use of the strong modal verb "must" in the governments message instructing Australians to "wear a face mask while travelling" reinforces social distance between the government and its constituents by challenging the negative face needs of Australians with the blunt, forceful imperative.

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Language, especially in formal contexts, is a double-edged sword that can build solidarity, whilst simultaneously reinforce social distance and authority. In serious situations where a response from the public is imperative, formal language is employed to reinforce social distance authority. Around public transport stops and in the vehicles themselves will one see a yellow sign with the imperative sentence "you must wear a face mask while travelling". The high modality in the modal verb "must" insinuates obligation or command and thus challenges the negative face needs of Australians who take public transport. The government, in issuing this rule through formal language, urges Australians to take the measure seriously. On the contrary, informal language use in formal Australian settings can convey a shared sense of emotional sentiment. In a press conference on July 24 2021, amidst Sydney anti-lockdown marches, NSW Police Minister David Elliot condemned the protestors as "3500 very selfish boofheads". Constructing a pathos appeal with an Australian colloquialism, Elliot elicits what seems to be his genuine anger and frustration towards the protestors. Despite speaking in a formal setting, Elliot's language is direct, casual and unbureaucratic, which follows covert Australian norms. This is an attempt to build solidarity with fellow Australians who share the irritation towards the "boofheads". In a similar sense, NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner blatantly slammed the vulgar Australian slang term "wanker" on the Victorians who frauded their border entry forms upon entering the Northern Territory in July 2021. This high informal noun, which originates from British slang, is another example of public language used to express frustration and consequently build solidarity.

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' Language can establish a sense of solidarity and belonging as well as reinforce social distance and authority'

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' Language can establish a sense of solidarity and belonging as well as reinforce social distance and authority'

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Please add your responses anywhere to this page and we will discuss this together as a class