TASHKENT UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND PEDAGOGY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55640/Keywords:
Discourse analysis, Internet language, Pragmatics, Slang, Social mediaAbstract
This study investigates the pragmatic functions of slang in contemporary English as used on two major internet platforms: Twitter and Reddit. Drawing on qualitative data from 100 authentic online interactions, the research explores how slang operates beyond its lexical meaning to perform a range of context-sensitive communicative functions. Utilizing frameworks from Speech Act Theory, Grice’s Cooperative Principle, and Politeness Theory, the study identifies key pragmatic roles of slang, including expressing solidarity, managing face, performing humor and irony, and amplifying emotional stance. Findings reveal that users on both platforms strategically deploy slang to align socially with their audiences, negotiate disagreement, and enhance expressivity—often in ways shaped by platform-specific norms and affordances. The study highlights the importance of treating slang as a legitimate and dynamic resource in digital pragmatics and calls for broader, multimodal, and cross-cultural research to capture its evolving role in online communication.Downloads
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