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Part of
Structures in Discourse: Interaction, adaptability, and pragmatic functions
Edited by Martin Gill, Aino Malmivirta and Brita Wårvik
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series 345] 2024
► pp. 176–201

Vernacular voices in the public sphere

Marginality, conflict and authenticity in ‘below the line’ comments to a Pro-Brexit British tabloid

| Åbo Akademi University
Though criticized for attracting bigots and haters, ‘below the line’ (BTL) comment spaces extend the public sphere to include vernacular voices that rarely figure in mainstream democratic debate. This study examines interaction among commenters in a corpus of comments posted to the British newspaper the Express on the divisive issue of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. It shows how in this context regular BTL commenters create and perform an authentic ‘Brexiter’ identity in opposition to public norms of civility, through displays of in-group solidarity and collective out-group hostility. It further shows how this aggressive behaviour is deliberately orchestrated and channelled by the newspaper itself. The study suggests that, as a result, the common ground essential to democratic participation is not being extended but eroded, to the detriment of all.
Keywords: BTL comments, online interaction, Brexit, public sphere, authenticity, solidarity, hate speech
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Background
  • 3.The Express data
    • 3.1Selection and treatment
    • 3.2The articles and the journalistic context
  • 4.Below the line interaction
    • 4.1Establishing a vernacular space
    • 4.2Solidarity and stylisation
    • 4.3Ludic conflict
    • 4.4Disruption
    • 4.5Third-person abuse
    • 4.6Collective vilification
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • The data
  • Other Express articles cited
  • References
Published online: 7 August 2024
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/pbns.345.09gil
References (49)
The data
#01 21.03.2018. “‘COMPLETELY WRONG’ – Iconic blue passports set to be made by EU company.” Available: [URL]
#02 23.03.2018. “Chakrabarti left with head in hands as top Tory SCHOOLS her on Brexit values.” Available: [URL]
#03 03.05.2018. “‘Belgium is not a nation’: Farage provokes EU UPROAR as he BRUTALLY taunts Belgian PM.” Available: [URL]
#04 08.05.2018. “Brexit catastrophe! Billionaire investor tears into Britain’s vote to leave EU.” Available: [URL]
#05 13.05.2018. “‘We MUST be listened to’ – ONE MILLION students demand ‘PEOPLE’S VOTE’ on Brexit.” Available: [URL]
#06 18.06.2018. “How Tory rebels are leading charge to OVERTURN Brexit to plunge UK into crisis.” Available: [URL]
#07 03.08.2018. “‘Carney PULLS RUG from under sterling’: Pound CRASHES as Bank of England chief issues BREXIT WARNING.” Available: [URL]
#08 16.08.2018. “‘Trust ME to deliver Brexit’: Boris Johnson to push pro-Brexit agenda at Tory conference.” Available: [URL]
#09 26.08.2018. “‘He is SO ILL-INFORMED!’ Ireland LASHES OUT at Rees-Mogg after SHOCK VIDEO emerges.” Available: [URL]
#10 27.08.2018. “NO FLY ZONE – planes to be GROUNDED if UK leaves without one-off air deal.” Available: [URL]
Other Express articles cited
19.09.2012. “Here are ten things that Britain could really do without.” Available: [URL]
11.12.2014. “Police arrest 76 people after mass ‘die-in’ at Westfield shopping centre.” Available: [URL]
29.05.2016. “Theresa May says many Britons ‘BENEFIT GREATLY’ from Sharia Law.” Available: [URL]
06.11.2016. “‘What part of LEAVE don’t you understand?’ Farage DESTROYS Brexit court ruling campaigner.” Available: [URL]
21.04.2018. “Newsnight host makes brilliant point to SLAP DOWN left-wing campaigner over UK immigration.” Available: [URL]
27.04.2018. “EU FURY: French ambassador storms out of EU meeting after being told to speak English.” Available: [URL]
23.06.2018. “Moment veteran tears into Remainers ‘COMMITTING MUTINY’ with attempts to frustrate Brexit.” Available: [URL]
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