HUMA MPhil Thesis Presentation - Digital Communication Practices and Translocal Belonging Among Hong Kong Based Mainland Female Vloggers

Abstract:

In recent decades, the flow of migrants in a globalizing world has increased despite the lockdowns associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. Hong Kong stands out as a popular destination for migrant workers, including high-skilled female vloggers from mainland China.  This study investigates the digital communication practices of these mainland Chinese female vloggers residing in Hong Kong, focusing on how they negotiate identity and foster a sense of translocal belonging through their vlogs on the social media platform Xiaohongshu. Situated within the tradition of linguistic ethnography, this study extends its scope by integrating online and offline data, encompassing three distinct facets: (1) a multimodal interactional analysis focusing on various semiotic resources in online vlogs posted by four mainland female vloggers based in Hong Kong; (2) a computer-mediated discourse analysis examining the discourse within the comment sections associated with the vlogs; and (3) a reflexive thematic analysis of interviews conducted with the four vloggers. The study offers insights into the experiences of high-skilled female migrants and the role of digital platforms in facilitating translocal connections. The findings will contribute to the broader understanding of digital communication among female migrants and demonstrate how vlogging allows voices that are often unheard to become heard, fostering interconnectedness and a more dynamic public sphere.