Abstract
This research is the first attempt in Georgia to analyse hate speech emerging in Computer-Meditated Communication. Particular attention is paid to the polylogal, asynchronic remarks made by members of the public reacting to online newspaper articles or press releases concerning the LGPT pride event planned for 18 - 23 June 2019, in Tbilisi, Georgia. The methodology is based on combining methods utilized in CDA and Genre Approach to (im)politeness which is in accord with the general approach to CMDA . At the first stage of the analysis, the examples of hate-speech acts were analysed according to the following criteria: identification of linguistic means and strategies employed while expressing impoliteness and specificity of identity construction (self-asserted versus others -asserted, positive versus negative, roles of participants and strategies of conflict generation or management). Next, linguistic peculiarities of hate speech (for instance, linguistic triggers [threats, insults, sarcasm incitements], wordplay, taboo, swear and derogatory words, metaphors, allusions and similes) were identified and analysed. Quantitative methodology was employed while stating the number of proponents and opponents of the event as well as statistical data referring to the number of linguistic and politeness strategies employed while expressing an opinion. This research shows particular tendencies of how impoliteness can be realised and how social identities can be construed using the example of hate discourse concerning LGBT pride in Georgia. However, to fully explore the genre properties of hate discourse in Georgia further research based on examples of hate-discourse strategies applied when discussing ethnic minorities and gender roles, is needed.
Highlights
Hate speech is broadly defined as ‘public speech that expresses hate or encourages violence towards a person or group based on something such as race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation’ (Cambridge University Press, 1995)
The data for this article consist of polylogues, asynchronous posts containing hate speech acts taken from the discourse concerning LGBT Pride, which was planned to be held in Tbilisi (18–23 June 2019): 180 comments and press releases (13 items) concerning the issue published by several agencies or newspapers
Turns were divided into the following groups: a) The author of the post expressed a negative attitude towards the LGBT event discussed by the video or press release or the initiator of the turn; b) The author of the post expressed a positive attitude towards the LGTB event described by the video or press release and c) The author of the post revealed a conciliatory, centrist or neutral approach to the issue
Summary
Hate speech is broadly defined as ‘public speech that expresses hate or encourages violence towards a person or group based on something such as race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation’ (Cambridge University Press, 1995). Individuals or groups are generally insulted by authors of hate speech based on race, religion, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 1999). Fulper et al (2014) described the correlation between the number of rapes and that of misogynistic tweets in the USA, which suggests that social media can be used as a social sensor of violence. These circumstances have led authorities in the EU to contemplate the reasons, aims and sequences of hate speech and address the possible solutions by taking some tentative steps. The Euro Commission allotted certain funds for civil society projects aimed at countering violent and dehumanising speech on the internet (Leng, 2018)
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