TY - JOUR
T1 - The struggle between the power of language and the language of power
T2 - Pro- and anti-vaccination memes and the discursive construction of knowledge
AU - Roslyng, Mette Marie
AU - Larsen, Gorm
PY - 2021/10/13
Y1 - 2021/10/13
N2 - In this study we look at how pro- and anti-vaccination groups construct alternative knowledge and facts discursively and linguistically in order to challenge or support the established scientific knowledge on vaccines. Through this case study we wish to examine how the power of language interacts with a language of power when memes in creative ways mimic, produce and reproduce scientific language and practices. Drawing on a dialogical-semiotic and a discourse theoretical analytical strategy, we, first, adopt Austin’s speech act theory and Bakhtin’s concept of speech genres to argue that memes are performative with an especially illocutionary force and are made up of alien language from scientific discourses. Second, we argue that Laclau’s discursive approach to how political positions are articulated in an antagonistic terrain allows us to see vaccination memes as either subversive or supportive of a scientific social imaginary.
AB - In this study we look at how pro- and anti-vaccination groups construct alternative knowledge and facts discursively and linguistically in order to challenge or support the established scientific knowledge on vaccines. Through this case study we wish to examine how the power of language interacts with a language of power when memes in creative ways mimic, produce and reproduce scientific language and practices. Drawing on a dialogical-semiotic and a discourse theoretical analytical strategy, we, first, adopt Austin’s speech act theory and Bakhtin’s concept of speech genres to argue that memes are performative with an especially illocutionary force and are made up of alien language from scientific discourses. Second, we argue that Laclau’s discursive approach to how political positions are articulated in an antagonistic terrain allows us to see vaccination memes as either subversive or supportive of a scientific social imaginary.
KW - Alternative knowledge
KW - Dialogical-semiotic analysis
KW - Discourse analysis
KW - Internet memes
KW - Vaccination debate
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85118221554&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1075/jlp.19101.ros
DO - 10.1075/jlp.19101.ros
M3 - Journal article
SN - 1569-2159
VL - 20
SP - 894
EP - 912
JO - Journal of Language and Politics
JF - Journal of Language and Politics
IS - 6
ER -