From Nurturance to Dominance: Metaphorical Shifts of Kinship Terms in Digital Subcultures

Abstract

This study explores the metaphorical reappropriation of kinship terms such as “mother,” “daddy,” and “sister” within digital subcultures, including drag culture, fan communities, LGBTQ+ groups, and BDSM contexts. Drawing upon Lakoff and Johnson’s conceptual metaphor theory, Bucholtz and Hall’s sociolinguistic identity construction framework, and Butler’s performativity theory, the research examines how familial terms undergo semantic shifts to signify authority, intimacy, dominance, and community solidarity. Specifically, “mother” transitions from traditional nurturing roles to symbolize charismatic leadership and authoritative mentorship. Similarly, “daddy” is recontextualized in BDSM and fan cultures to represent consensual dominance, sexual charisma, and ironic subversion of patriarchal norms, as illustrated by the term “zaddy.” Cross-cultural comparisons with Chinese fandom’s usage of “mother-fan” and “daddy-type idol” further highlight localized expressions of emotional care and protective authority, reflecting culturally specific values of collectivism and affective bonding. Ultimately, this paper argues that such linguistic innovations serve as performative acts, strategically negotiating and subverting traditional understandings of gender, sexuality, power, and kinship, thereby contributing significantly to identity politics and community-building within contemporary digital spaces.