Digital Voices of Resistance: A Corpus-Based Study of Speech Acts and Collective Identity in Iranian Protest Discourse on Twitter

Discourse functions as both a situational and metaphorical space through which individuals interpret reality and articulate shared meanings about sociopolitical issues. Within this space, protest discourse emerges when individuals collectively recognize opposition to dominant sociopolitical structures as a necessary pathway to transforming lived realities. This study examines the emergence and dynamics of protest discourse with particular reference to the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran, which gained global attention following the death of Mahsa Amini after her arrest over alleged violations of hijab regulations. Situating this movement within broader traditions of global protest—such as the #REZIST movement in Romania—this paper explores how contemporary uprisings are deeply intertwined with questions of citizenship, identity, and the struggle for political and social autonomy. Drawing on a discourse-analytic perspective, the study conceptualizes protest as a communicative practice through which individuals negotiate collective identities and articulate resistance. It highlights how shared grievances and aspirations are linguistically constructed and disseminated, particularly in digital environments where discourse circulates rapidly and transcends geographical boundaries. The Iranian protests exemplify how localized incidents can catalyze widespread sociopolitical engagement, transforming individual experiences into collective narratives of resistance. The analysis underscores the role of discourse in shaping public consciousness, mobilizing participation, and sustaining movements over time. It further demonstrates that protest discourse is not merely reactive but constitutive, actively producing meanings, identities, and forms of solidarity. By situating the Iranian protests within a broader global context, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how discourse functions as a powerful tool in contemporary movements for political freedom and social justice.