The Language of Protest

Rooted in the performative of Speech Act Theory, this interdisciplinary study crafts a new model to compare the work we do with words when we protest: across genres, from different geographies and languages. Rich with illustrative examples from Turkey, U.S., West Germany, Romania, Guatemala, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland, it examines the language of protest (chants, songs, poetry and prose) with an innovative use of analytical tools that will advance current theory. Operating at the intersection of linguistic pragmatics and critical discourse analysis this book provides fresh insights on interdisciplinary topics including power, identity, legitimacy and the Social Contract. In doing so it will appeal to students and scholars of sociolinguistics, pragmatics and critical discourse analysis, in addition to researchers working in sociology, political science, discourse, cultural and communication studies.

Shines a comparative spotlight on different forms and expressions of protest speech acts Generates two new concepts as part of its innovations in Speech Act Theory: 'pragmatic legitimacy' and 'convocativity' Reveals avenues for future research, including protest language as a meta-linguistic phenomenon, the meta-narrative of grassroots activism, and a re-birth of the medium as the message

Autorentext
Mary Lynne Gasaway Hill is Professor of English and Communication Studies at St. Mary's University of San Antonio, Texas, USA. The inaugural Edward & Linda Speed Peace and Justice Fellow, Gasaway Hill is a scholar and poet interested in the nexus of language, power, and change.

Inhalt
Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Mapping Theory and Method in the Neighborhood of Protest.- Chapter 3: Exploring the Performance of Protest Chants: "Everyday I'm Çapulling" and "Sí Se Puede".- Chapter 4: Exploring the Performance of Protest Songs: "We Shall Overcome" and "99 Luftballons"/ "99 Red Balloons".- Chapter 5: Exploring the Performance of Protest Poetry: "Cruciada Copiilor"/ "Children's Crusade" and "Dulce et Decorum Est".- Chapter 6: Exploring the Performance of Protest Prose: Condemnations of the Totonicapán Massacre and "The Diary of Bobby Sands".- Chapter 7: Considerations and Conversations in the Neighborhood of Protest.