Beyond Borders: Inclusive Language in Drag Race España and Drag Race México

A Transatlantic, Cross-Cultural Analysis of Inclusive Language in Spanish-Language Editions of RuPaul’s Drag Race: Drag Race España and Drag Race México

Thursday, October 24, 2024

4 p.m.

Bond Hall 419

A talk by R. Mata (WWU)

Abstract

Morphosyntactic gender-marking in Spanish creates unique challenges – but also presents ample opportunities – for adopting inclusive language – particularly non-binary expression – among 2SLGBTQIA+ contestants in two Spanish-language editions of RuPaul's Drag Race.

 

The study examines how Drag Race participants navigate linguistic norms to express diverse gender identities in a televised competition known for spontaneous discussions about sexuality and gender identity & expression. Analyzing discourse patterns, lexical choices, and interactional dynamics, I explore contestants' linguistic strategies for asserting agency and negotiating gender inclusivity. By juxtaposing Drag Race México and Drag Race España, this comparative approach highlights regional variations in the deployment of inclusive language, offering insights into cultural attitudes towards gender and sexuality in Europe versus Latin America in a globalized media landscape.

Dr. R. Mata

R. Mata is an associate professor of linguistics & Spanish at Western Washington University. His research focus is Spanish in the United States, particularly the U.S.-Mexico border area. His fieldwork analyzes some of the morphosyntactic properties of Spanish that are vulnerable to language contact, as well as language attitudes and discourse-pragmatics elements.