THE LINGUISTIC NATURE OF INTERNET SLANG AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

Abstract

Internet slang (also called netspeak or chat-speak) comprises the informal, non‐standard vocabulary and expressions that have emerged in computer-mediated communication. The Internet – being “global, diverse, and dynamic” – hosts an abundance of slang forms. Scholars note that the Internet has “radically changed global communication” and become integral to daily life, profoundly influencing both written and spoken language. This paper defines internet slang within sociolinguistics and digital communication, and then examines its linguistic characteristics. We review existing literature and use illustrative examples from English-speaking platforms (Twitter, Reddit, memes, texting). We find that internet slang shows creative morphology (acronyms, blends, clippings) and flexible syntax (abbreviated phrases, novel punctuation), as well as distinct pragmatic uses (e.g. “LOL” as a discourse marker, memes and emojis conveying tone). Digital platforms (e.g. Twitter’s character limit, social media affordances) shape these innovations. We discuss how these trends reflect ongoing language change and affect norms and communication practices: internet slang serves as a marker of community identity and drives vocabulary evolution, even as it challenges traditional views of correctness.