Lip-synching and young people's everyday linguistic activism on TikTok

Abstract

Among the unique affordances of the video sharing app Tiktok is the ability it gives to users to appropriate the verbal performancesofothersand re-presentthemwiththeir own bodies throughp ractices of lip-synching.Thiso ften involves usersa ppropriatingt he voices of peopleofraces different from their own,which sometimes results in otherscritiquing the authenticity of their performances or criticizing themf or 'cultural appropriation' or for perpetuatingracialstereotypes.This chapterexploreshow young users of TikTok engage in voiceappropriation and negotiate socialnorms surrounding it.It begins by describinghow practicesofl ip-synching on TikTok raise broader issues aroundv oiceappropriation, racism,and the exploitationofpeopleofcolourwho use the platform.It thendiscusses how concepts from sociolinguistics suchasstylization, crossing,indexicalityand (in)authenticity can helpu st ou nderstand the ways lip-synchingp erformancesf unction in the linguistic marketplace of TikTok and the factorsaffecting people'snegotiationsofvoiceappropriation and authenticity.Finally, it demonstratesh ow the samet echnological affordances which facilitate practices of everyday racism (in the formofl anguage mocking and cultural appropriation)alsoprovide the tools for creators to 'callout' racistperformancesand engage in actsof'everyday linguistic activism'.

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