The YouTube-induced sequential categorization of the topical device of Amber Heard’s “lies”: an ethnomethodological forensic-linguistic perspective

Abstract

Abstract The present study seeks to untangle the courtroom trial’s sequential categorization of the topical device of Amber Heard’s ‘lies’ as YouTubed by the Daily Mail. Towards this end, the study develops and utilizes a synergetic approach of the ethnomethodological method of membership categorization analysis (MCA), the reconsidered model, the forensic-linguistics model of analysing courtroom trials, and translanguaging emoji pattern analysis. The following hypothesis has been tested: YouTube-mediated courtroom trials can publicly bring out an emergent digital genre with a special kind of translocal participatory engagement of trial participants, YouTube creators, and YouTube users. Towards proving the foregoing hypothesis, three sets of YouTube-video data have been investigated. The analysis has proven the study’s hypothesis with three findings ensuing. First, a new digital genre of trial emerged with the shift from the local setting of courtroom to the translocal/global setting of YouTube. Second, the YouTube translocal affordances have enabled a situated membership categorization of Heard as a lying defendant and Vasquez as a heroic lawyer. Third, a set of morally contrastive devices have been detected through the metadiscursive practices of enabling the internet/video and video-moment reporting and quoting as well as the translanguaging practice of emoji assignment by YouTube users.