SŁOWA W OPORZE: JĘZYK PROTESTÓW W HONGKONGU

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of language in the social protests that took place in Hongkong in recent years. It presents language as one of the most crucial tools of opposition against the growing political pressure and censorship imposed by Beijing. The article argues that language functioned not only as means of communication, but also as a substitute for political space – allowing social mobilization, expressing resistance, and providing a layer of protection against repression. The text identifies four key functions of the protest language. The analysis considers traditional slogans and phrases, as well as more innovative forms of communication such as neologisms, wordplay, homophones, anglicisms, hashtags, and Internet memes. The linguistic creativity of the Hongkongers enabled them to escape censorship, reinforced the sense of solidarity, and emphasized their national distinctiveness from mainland China. The paper also highlights the global dimension of protest language. English slogans and hashtags, such as #StandWithHK, made Hong Kong’s case more visible internationally and helped to foster transborder solidarity. The conclusion emphasizes that language became both a carrier and a lasting repository of resistance and collective memory, allowing the struggleagainst the erosion of basic social freedoms in the region to continue quietly in spaces beyond the streets of Hongkong. Moreover, these linguistic practices continue to evolve, adapting to new forms of surveillance and digital restrictions. They also serve as an ongoing reminder of the city’s unique cultural identity, kept alive through everyday speech and online interaction. Ultimately, the article underlines that as long as these linguistic trances persist the spirit of the protests endures as well.