Abstract
This study focuses on the sociolinguistic underpinnings of Hong Kong’s media, exploring the complex relationship between language use and the cultural delineation of high and low culture. In Hong Kong’s diverse linguistic environment, where Cantonese, Mandarin, and English intersect, this research examines how these languages are used across various media forms to navigate cultural distinctions, thereby influencing societal perceptions and identities. By focusing specifically on language use within cinematic productions, television broadcasts, and digital social media content, the study aims to understand the mechanisms through which media articulates and reshapes cultural hierarchies. Using a combination of content analysis and discourse analysis, the research identifies and examines instances of language choice, code-switching, and linguistic framing within selected media texts. This approach allows for an in-depth look at how linguistic practices not only reflect but also actively construct cultural values and identities, highlighting the role of media as a key place for cultural negotiation. By pinpointing specific examples of how language serves to differentiate or blur the lines between high and low culture in media representations, the study sheds light on the broader sociolinguistic processes at play in Hong Kong’s complex cultural ecosystem. Initial findings suggest that linguistic stratification in media influences and challenges cultural legitimacy, with implications for understanding the changing nature of identity in a globalized urban context. This investigation contributes a nuanced perspective to the discourse on language, media, and culture, offering valuable insights for researchers and practitioners navigating the intersections of linguistics and the arts in society.
Presenters
Hin Yee WongAssistant Professor, Education and Languages, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Sociolinguistics, Hong Kong Media, Cultural Identity, High and Low Culture
