1887
Volume 12, Issue 1
  • ISSN 2210-4119
  • E-ISSN: 2210-4127
USD
Buy:$35.00 + Taxes

Abstract

Abstract

This article examines how “parasitical” political language can help explore a new understanding of oppositional opinions in a global context of political polarization. By parasitical political language, I refer to what speech act theorist J.L. Austin calls “infelicitous speech acts”, language that is used unsuccessfully. Jacques Derrida argues that these “incorrect” utterances can escape from an already determined context and extend to a more liberated kind of communication. To explore the potentially “positive” effect of parasitical language, this article examines the utterances of Hong Kong protesters prior to the 2020 US elections as infelicitous speech acts. Their radical political approach, surprisingly, spawned an anti-globalist activist subculture shared by protesters in other parts of the world.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1075/ld.00110.tan
2022-03-07
2025-04-24
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. “About Coconuts.” (n.d.). Coconuts. https://coconuts.co/about-coconuts/
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Africa Center Hong Kong. 香港非洲中心 2020 (June4). Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/africacenterhk/posts/1073610086373535
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Austin, J. L.
    1962How to Do Things with Words. Glasgow, UK: Oxford University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. baconmashwbrownsugar
    baconmashwbrownsugar 2020 (June6). Twitter. https://twitter.com/baconmashwbs/status/1269472127914135553
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Butler, Judith
    1990Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. New York: Routledge.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. 1997Excitable Speech: A Politics of the Performative. New York: Routledge.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Chan, Christina
    2020 (February15). “Hongkongers’ Prejudice and Mainlanders: There’s More to It Than Politics and the Virus.” Hong Kong Free Press. https://hongkongfp.com/2020/02/15/hongkongers-prejudice-mainlanders-theres-politics-virus/
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Chong, Ja Ian
    2020 (November17). “Support for Trump in Hong Kong and Taiwan is Unsurprising (But Misguided).” https://thediplomat.com/2020/11/support-for-trump-in-hong-kong-and-taiwan-is-unsurprising-but-misguided/
  9. Chung, Leung-cha 沖涼茶
    2019 (July24). “香港人致中國政府: If We Burn, You Burn With Us” (Hong Kong People to the Government of China: If We Burn, You Burn With Us). LIHKG. https://lihkg.com/thread/1360355/page/1
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Creery, Jennifer [Google Scholar]
  11. Davidson, Helen
    2020 (June13). “How the killing of George Floyd exposed Hong Kong activists’ uneasy relationship with Donald Trump.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/14/how-the-killing-of-george-floyd-exposed-hong-kong-activists-uneasy-relationship-with-donald-trump
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Derrida, Jacques
    1988Limited Inc. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Duangdee, Vijitra
    2021 (February4). “#Milkteaalliance Has a New Target Brewing: Myanmar’s Military.” South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3120526/asias-milkteaalliance-has-new-target-brewing-generals-behind
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Everington, Keoni
    2020 (April29). “Photo of the Day: Australia joins Milk Tea Alliance with Taiwan.” Taiwan News. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3925084
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Fanon, Frantz
    1967Black Skin, White Mask. Trans.Charles Lam Markmann. New York: Grove Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Feng, Zhaoyin [Google Scholar]
  17. “George Floyd Protests: Do Black Lives Matter to Hong Kong Protesters?” 2020 (June20). South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3089562/george-floyd-protests-do-black-lives-matter-hong-kong-protesters
    [Google Scholar]
  18. Global News
    Global News 2019 (December1). “Make Hong Kong Great Again”: Protesters Thank Trump for Support, Sing U.S. Anthem.” YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVV5ov0y5HM
  19. Ha, Tai-wui Ji-dai 下體會自大
    2018 (October12). “想問下 reddit 主流點睇 侵侵、左膠” (Can I Ask About the Mainstream Reddit Community/Leftard’s Perception of Trump?). LIHKG. https://lihkg.com/thread/860011/page/1
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Hak, Ye Ji-chin 黑夜之前
    2019 (June30). “有沒人諗過真係出動解放軍會點” (Have You Thought What Would Happen If the PLA Really Comes?). LIHKG. https://lihkg.com/thread/1269984/page/2
    [Google Scholar]
  21. “How Hong Kong Protests Are Inspiring Movements Worldwide” 2019 (October22). Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/how-hong-kong-protests-are-inspiring-movements-worldwide/a-50935907
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Hui, Mary
    2019 (October16). “‘be Water’: Catalonia Protesters Learn from Hong Kong.” Quartz. https://qz.com/1728078/be-water-catalonia-protesters-learn-from-hong-kong/
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Hung, Yu Yui Ruth
    2014 “What Melts in the ‘Melting Pot’ of Hong Kong?” Asiatic: IIUM Journal of English Language and Literature, 8(2), 57–87. https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbu_staff_publication/5918
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Illmer, Andreas
    2020 (October31). “US Election 2020: The Asians Who Are Rooting for Trump to Win.” BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54097609
    [Google Scholar]
  25. Jameson, Fredric
    1997Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism. Durham: Duke University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Kong, Tsung-gan 江松澗
    2019 (December12). “Arrests and Trials of Hong Kong Protesters.” Medium. https://kongtsunggan.medium.com/arrests-and-trials-of-hong-kong-protesters-2019-9d9a601d4950
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Lam, Oiwan
    2020 (June16). “Remembering Marco Leung, the First to Die in Hong Kong’s Anti-China Extradition Protests.” Global Voices. https://globalvoices.org/2020/06/16/remembering-marco-leung-the-first-to-die-in-hong-kongs-anti-china-extradition-protests/
    [Google Scholar]
  28. Lee, Bak Fong 李八方
    2008 (November5). “Geqiang Youer: Aobama Laqing Xianggang” 隔牆有耳:奧巴馬辣慶香港 (Gossip: Obama Turns on Hong Kong Celebration Mode). https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20081105/YCUZOUSL5FUIIPWSM6D6U6PPJA/
  29. Leung, Hillary
    2020 (June12). “The World Has Marched for Black Lives. Why Hasn’t Hong Kong?” Coconuts Hong Kong. https://coconuts.co/hongkong/features/the-world-has-marched-for-black-lives-why-hasnt-hong-kong/
    [Google Scholar]
  30. Link, Perry
    2021 (March11). “Dr. Perry Link, Why Do Chinese Dissidents Support Trump?” CSUSB Modern China Lecture Series. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iDw_OErFeI
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Lucas, Ben [Google Scholar]
  32. Ma, Tracy
    2020 (July31). “Why Protest Tactics Spread Like Memes.” The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/31/style/viral-protest-videos.html
    [Google Scholar]
  33. “Milk Tea Alliance Pushes for Democracy vs China’s Authoritarianism” 2021 (April14). ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/04/14/21/milk-tea-alliance-pushes-for-democracy-vs-chinas-authoritarianism
    [Google Scholar]
  34. Mitchell, Timothy
    2000 “The Stage of Modernity.” Questions of Modernity. Ed.Timothy Mitchell. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. 1–34.
    [Google Scholar]
  35. miwaBB
    miwaBB 2019 (June30). “有沒人諗過真係出動解放軍會點” (Have You Thought What Would Happen if the PLA Really Comes?). LIHKG. https://lihkg.com/thread/1269984/page/1
    [Google Scholar]
  36. Ordway, Denise-Marie and Wihbey, John
    2016 (September20). “Presidential Debates and Their Effects: Research Roundup.” Journalist’s Resource. https://journalistsresource.org/politics-and-government/presidential-debates-effects-research-roundup/
    [Google Scholar]
  37. Press TV
    Press TV 2020 (November25). “Japan: Trump Supporters Rally in Tokyo to Protest US Election Result.” YouTube video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0g4DnjxnMY
  38. Rancière, Jacques
    2010Dissensus on Politics and Aesthetics. Trans.Steven Corcoran. London: Continuum.
    [Google Scholar]
  39. Searle, John
    1977 “Reiterating the Difference: A Reply to Derrida.” Glyph: Johns Hopkins Textual Studies. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. 198–208.
    [Google Scholar]
  40. Sbisà, Marina
    2007 How to Read Austin. Pragmatics17(3): 461–473. 10.1075/prag.17.3.06sbi
    https://doi.org/10.1075/prag.17.3.06sbi [Google Scholar]
  41. Solomon, Justin
    2020 (June6). “Hong Kong Black Lives Matter Event Cancelled Due to Coronavirus and Politics, Organizers Say.” NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/2020-06-06-george-floyd-protests-n1226451/ncrd1226526#blogHeader
    [Google Scholar]
  42. “Sheminlian Fu Meilingguan Shewei Shengyuan ‘Black Lives Matter,’ Jing Zaiyi Xianjulìng Zulan” 社民連赴美領館示威 聲援「Black Lives Matter」 警再以限聚令阻攔 (League of Social Democrats Supports Black Lives Matter at US Consulate, Stopped by Police with Gathering Restriction Order) 2020 (June7). Stand News. https://bit.ly/3Lwppx9
    [Google Scholar]
  43. Tanakasempipat, Patpicha, and Yanni Chow
    2020 (August18). “Pro-democracy Milk Tea Alliance Brews in Asia.” Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-asia-protests-idUSKCN25E102
    [Google Scholar]
  44. United States Department of State
    United States Department of State 2020 (August28). “U.S. Relations with Hong Kong.” https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-hong-kong/
  45. “Women Xinkao Naicha: ‘Tai Youmo’ Jitui ‘Xiao Fenhong,’ Tai Gang Tai SanDi Wangmin Yuzu ‘Naicha Lianmeng’ Qikang Zhongguo Wangjun” 我們信靠奶茶:「泰幽默」擊退「小粉紅」, 泰港台三地網民籲組「奶茶聯盟」齊抗中國網軍 (We Believe in Milk Tea: ‘Thai Humor’ Drove off ‘Little Pink,’ Netizens from Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan Organized ‘Milk Tea Alliance’ to Resist Chinese Internet Army) 2020 (August20). Stand News. https://bit.ly/3BfyUfo
    [Google Scholar]
  46. Wong, Brian, and Jeffie Lam
    2021 (April2). “Top Opposition Figures Guilty over Park March – Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai and Veteran Democracy Campaigner Martin Lee among Seven Convicted of Organising and Taking Part in Unlawful Assembly.” South China Morning Post. A1.
    [Google Scholar]
  47. Wong, Eric
    2008 (November5). “Aobama Chenggong de Qishi” 奧巴馬成功的啟示 (The Inspiration of Obama’s Success). Metro Daily都市日報. P20.
    [Google Scholar]
  48. Wong, Rachel
    2020 (October25). “Wanted Hong Kong Activist Finn Lau – behind the Faceless ‘Laam Caau’ Persona – Says He Will Seize Any ‘Chance of Survival and Give Back.’” Hong Kong Free Press. https://hongkongfp.com/2020/10/25/wanted-hong-kong-activist-finn-lau-behind-the-faceless-laam-caau-persona-says-he-will-seize-any-chance-of-survival-and-give-back/
    [Google Scholar]
  49. “Why Are Some Hong Kong Democracy Activists Supporting Trump’s Bid to Cling to Power?” 2020 (November12). The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/13/trump-presidency-hong-kong-pro-democracy-movement
    [Google Scholar]
  50. Yonden, Lhatoo
    2015a (October30). “If the UK Can Act on Discrimination against Ethnic Minorities, Why Can’t Hong Kong Put an End to White Worship?” South China Morning Post. A15.
    [Google Scholar]
  51. 2015b (October30). “It’s Time We Put an End to Hong Kong’s White Worship.” South China Morning Post. A15.
    [Google Scholar]
  52. Zhang, Yingjin
    1997 “From ‘Minority Film’ to ‘Minority Discourse’: Questions of Nationhood and Ethnicity in Chinese Cinema.” Cinema Journal36(3): 73–90. 10.2307/1225676
    https://doi.org/10.2307/1225676 [Google Scholar]
  53. Zhao, Bo
    2021 “White Supremacy, Nationalism, and Surveillance in Hong Kong’s Recent Political Turmoil: A Global Perspective.” Surveillance & Society19(3): 379–383. 10.24908/ss.v19i3.15032
    https://doi.org/10.24908/ss.v19i3.15032 [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1075/ld.00110.tan
Loading
/content/journals/10.1075/ld.00110.tan
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): anti-globalism; democracy; Derrida; dissensus; Hong Kong protests; infelicity; Rancière; speech act
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was successful
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error