Exploring the Digital Shift in Indigenous Language Research in Yásnaya Elena A. Gil’s This Mouth is Mine

Abstract

In the digital age, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have become pivotal for language discourse, reshaping language research methodologies. This paper examines the innovative approach to language research in Yásnaya Elena A. Gil’s This Mouth is Mine, where the Mixe-speaking linguist and indigenous activist challenges traditional research methodologies by incorporating her tweets alongside scholarly essays. Over a decade, Gil’s active participation in online spaces reflects the evolving intersection of language, identity, and activism, using social media trends and news stories as primary sources. By doing so, she creates a dynamic, real-time reflection of linguistic and cultural shifts that traditional academic frameworks might miss. Drawing on Max Halupka’s heuristic framework of the seven dimensions of clicktivism, the paper validates social media as a legitimate platform for civic engagement, expanding the boundaries of what constitutes serious language research. Gil’s use of QR codes for online language resources instead of footnotes shows a truly contemporary research where the infinite archival capacity of digital platforms is used to link indigenous knowledge and modern technology. Exploring the concepts of ‘clicktivism’ and ‘slacktivism’, the paper addresses the inherent complexities of the ongoing digital shift in contemporary language research.