Chapter 4. “Oh wow! We getting ready for my funeral?”
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Marta Andersson
Abstract
This paper investigates the prosodic differentiation between self-deprecation and impoliteness targeting others in YouTube video product reviews by Jeffree Star, a well-known social media (hence SM) influencer. The results show that low pitch values, longer durations, and descending melodic patterns, which are associated with impoliteness, as well as rising pitch and faster speech rates, which are indicative of self-deprecation, distinguish these two functions in Star’s performance. The paper contends that the strategy of phonological distinction between different functions of impoliteness is critical to developing a relatable in-group relationship with the community of viewers. Thus, our findings shed light on the communicative strategies used by internet influencers, as well as the importance of the understudied feature of prosody in SM context.
Abstract
This paper investigates the prosodic differentiation between self-deprecation and impoliteness targeting others in YouTube video product reviews by Jeffree Star, a well-known social media (hence SM) influencer. The results show that low pitch values, longer durations, and descending melodic patterns, which are associated with impoliteness, as well as rising pitch and faster speech rates, which are indicative of self-deprecation, distinguish these two functions in Star’s performance. The paper contends that the strategy of phonological distinction between different functions of impoliteness is critical to developing a relatable in-group relationship with the community of viewers. Thus, our findings shed light on the communicative strategies used by internet influencers, as well as the importance of the understudied feature of prosody in SM context.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
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Part I. Affect, authenticity and fandom
- Chapter 1. Reconfiguring and repurposing authenticity 20
- Chapter 2. The divided affective connections with the influencer 43
- Chapter 3. The dimensions of relatability for Instagram lifestyle influencers 75
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Part II. Aggression, cancellation and (anti)fandom
- Chapter 4. “Oh wow! We getting ready for my funeral?” 100
- Chapter 5. 🍊🍊🍊: Political influencers as flashpoints for manufactured online aggression 128
- Chapter 6. Cancel Culture and influencers 148
- Chapter 7. Influencers’ conflictual responses to posters’ offensive comments on Instagram 175
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Part III. Genres and relational practices
- Chapter 8. Performing branded affect in micro‑celebrity YouTube reaction videos 200
- Chapter 9. Social media influencers and #DigitalDetoxDay 227
- Chapter 10. The construction of tellability in YouTube vlogging 250
- Chapter 11. “Getting personal with you” 278
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Affect, authenticity and fandom
- Chapter 1. Reconfiguring and repurposing authenticity 20
- Chapter 2. The divided affective connections with the influencer 43
- Chapter 3. The dimensions of relatability for Instagram lifestyle influencers 75
-
Part II. Aggression, cancellation and (anti)fandom
- Chapter 4. “Oh wow! We getting ready for my funeral?” 100
- Chapter 5. 🍊🍊🍊: Political influencers as flashpoints for manufactured online aggression 128
- Chapter 6. Cancel Culture and influencers 148
- Chapter 7. Influencers’ conflictual responses to posters’ offensive comments on Instagram 175
-
Part III. Genres and relational practices
- Chapter 8. Performing branded affect in micro‑celebrity YouTube reaction videos 200
- Chapter 9. Social media influencers and #DigitalDetoxDay 227
- Chapter 10. The construction of tellability in YouTube vlogging 250
- Chapter 11. “Getting personal with you” 278
- Index 303
