A corpus-assisted discourse analysis of linguistic transphobia on Mumsnet

[IwantToRetire]

By Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics

It has been suggested that the forum-style parenting website Mumsnet is a hub for ‘gender-critical’ feminism, which directly opposes transgender rights, to be practised with little moderation (Livingston, 2018). This presentation reports on the initial stages of a project aiming to investigate that the potential intensification of linguistic transphobia on Mumsnet may lead to further marginalisation of transgender people offline (Powys Maurice, 2021). Though studies of non-linguistic transphobic rhetoric on Mumsnet (e.g., Pedersen, 2022; Mackenzie, 2019), and discourse analyses of other radical online communities (e.g., Krendel, 2020) have both occurred, this project is the first to analyse linguistic transphobia on Mumsnet. It also contributes to existing literature surrounding UK-based ‘gender-critical’ feminism; linguistic transphobia; and radical online community discourses.

The presentation explores the rise of potentially ‘gender-critical’ linguistic transphobia on Mumsnet over time through the corpus linguistic (CL) analysis of the ‘Feminism: Sex & Gender Discussions’ board, using three corpora comprising a fifteen-year timeframe: 2008-2013; 2013-2018; and 2018-2023. As the project is still ongoing, preliminary findings will be presented, namely a comparative overview of trends yielded in frequency analyses. Overall, this presentation provides insights into the growing commonality of potentially ‘gender-critical’ feminist rhetoric on Mumsnet and its effect on increasing transphobic discourse on the site.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-corpus-assisted-discourse-analysis-of-linguistic-transphobia-on-mumsnet-tickets-880795271367?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

(I had just finished my favourite tea time treat of catching up on FWR and was going to get back to the grindstone when this popped up on my feed. So have come back as it is too good not to be shared. Enjoy!)

I was just thinking about the online offline thing. Do you think For Women Scotland will get an honourable mention by Eden for taking their transphobic rhetoric and comments off these pages and into firstly forming FWS and then taking the Scottish government to court repeatedly? I mean they are literally mumsnet manifesting in the real world

Check teenage tictok for number of children complaining their mum's a Terfs and they are having their internet monitored and restricted and wondering if 14 is too old for your mum to still cut up your grapes

We're in "a fairy dies every time you say 'I don't believe in fairies'" territory

Of course - I'd forgotten the different standards of proof needed to accept TRA feelings as facts, as opposed to women having to provide facts (ie are lived experience is not important enough to be valid).

I do believe in fairies, I do, I do

I don't!

Brilliant!
To include:
Transphobic psychotherapists/ psychologists who are concerned about child development, safeguarding, potential collusion, and lack of holistic approach.

Fortunately the sex of that skeleton can be determined by the peptides in its tooth enamel. No need to rely on pink fairy wings, tutu or random rainbow sparkles in the background. What a relief!

Is this why they hate the in jokes and joshing?

Must clitter oopp the dartar shett.

Forking whankers.

Posts like this are why I stick around. The accumulated expertise on MN is awesome.

It is great isn’t it? Don't even need DNA. Tooth enamel composition is specific to sex!
A while back I read that archaeologists found 2 skeletons that were buried holding hands were not male and female as first thought but 2 males. I found it very moving.

xxcellent work
the more the merrier
i greatly admire wimmin wombyn womons for our ability to spel it as it is

Oh. Men who consider transwomen women for all purposes except relationship purposes.

I have been meaning to name change in ages and this thread has inspired me.

twirls

IBelieveInFairies was taken...but think about the Ferries...how would one get to the Isle if Wight.

😍

ABOAT TIME SOMBDY SAID SOMETHIN NICE ABOUT THE FURRIES

That's hate speak... Pink News told me so. Don't take that Furry to Scotland, the police might nab you.

You need your eyes testing Nicola!

That poster believes in FERRIES

I believe in FURRIES!

Ah yes ferries, another triumph of the Scottish Government:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4n1ejjge68o

I believe in flurries

Well, given Eden's interesting+ perspective, is it plausible that the offline effects manifest in the tribunal victories of Tervern Academicals and MN's contributions to their crowdfunding?

Meade
Phoenix
Bailey
Appleby
Forstater
Fahmy

Fingers crossed for Adams but no crowdfunder involved…

+Does anyone read Eden and see an exchange like this in their mind's eye?
FAUSTUS: Come, I think hell's a fable.
MEPHISTOPHELES: Ay, think so still, till experience change thy mind.

Hovercraft.

Serious answer!

I fucking love that hovercraft. I believe it’s the only passenger service left in the world?

You are correct. Forensic linguistics is unregulated.

Well that’s a convenient little loophole for Aston, ain’t it?

New Mumsnet campaign anyone?

Other potential ways to get around the AI

• Write in a different "accent" every post (Thae AI wahnt noo wahts goonon - bit nae wal anyone else)
• Write what you want to say, tell an AI website to "rephrase this", then paste the results.
• Write what you want to say, translate it into an obscure language using a translation website, paste it into your message, not forgetting to state the language at the beginning.
• Use inconsistent and terrible spelling.

Ooh. Catching up so apologies if this has already been reported. The
Mumsnet logo has gone from the Eventbrite page
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-corpus-assisted-discourse-analysis-of-linguistic-transphobia-on-mumsnet-tickets-880795271367?aff=ebdssbdestsearch