Book Title: Advanced Studies in Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation (ASMRI)
Chief Editors: Dr. Jagdish Kumar Sahu and Dr. Krishna Ashutoshbhai Vyas
Associate Editors: Dr. N. Ramesh Chandra Srikanth and Dr. Lourdu Vesna J
Co-Editors: Dr. Aarti Sharma and Dr. Pushpa Mamoria
ISBN: 978-93-7183-010-2
Chapter: 1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59646/745/1
Author: Anjana Rajeev T
Abstract
Internet slang has become an integral part of digital communication, and is influencing the way Standard English is used in a variety of online settings. The paper examines how the internet slang has affected the way in which Standard English is used, particularly in regard to its changes in vocabulary, grammar, tone, and meaning on various social media, messaging applications, and online communities. Research is conducted in a mixed-method design where quantitative data are obtained from widely-used Internet slang expressions and the frequency of their usage, in addition to qualitative data gained from observation of Internet usage patterns and the interaction of the language in online spaces. The results show that there is a strong integration of Internet slang in daily language use, and that there are age group differences in the use of Internet slang as well as differences between contexts of Internet use. Also, the platform-specific norms have an impact on the linguistic changes, as the number of characters, algorithms and interface design affect how users create meaning. As the world becomes increasingly digital, linguistic efficiency and visual communication are increasingly promoted, such as through the use of emojis, abbreviations, and shortened phrases. Younger users, especially, use more informal digital dialects (IDD) when they code-switch with Standard English, depending on audience and platform. As viral content continues to rapidly spread, the usage and evolution of slang expressions among the communities of users across the world continues to be hastened. This gives rise to a common jargon, often international, that has become an Internet phenomenon. The study also reveals that use of internet slang in online communication promotes language creativity, expression of emotions, and formation of social identity, while some viewpoints believe that internet slang has a negative effect on the grammatical correctness of the language and the level of formal writing. Furthermore, the use of the Internet is a dynamic and constantly evolving phenomenon, due to cultural trends, technical developments and global, digital interaction. The paper also discusses the implications of such linguistic shifts for schools, academic writing and communication in the workplace, and why it might be inappropriate to see the use of informal language as a sign of the lack of the reality of the ways people communicate. The findings of this study show that internet slang is not just a mispronunciation of the Standard language but an ongoing parallel language which has a significant impact on modern language use and communication.
Keywords: Internet slang, Standard English, digital communication, linguistic change, social media language, online discourse, language evolution, code-switching, youth language