Disciplines
Anthropological Linguistics and Sociolinguistics | Linguistics
Abstract (300 words maximum)
As social media platforms become increasingly prevalent in our society, they have begun to heavily influence the ways in which we communicate with each other. Particularly fascinating is the effect of social media sites and texting upon slang, which has evolved significantly over the past few decades. Therefore, I am researching why slang is so prevalent in our society, as well as how and why it has changed as a result of social media. My project also explores the phenomena of how online platforms have influenced the connotations of certain words so that they later become slang terms. Because both slang and social media are significant societal factors and they are constantly changing even today, this information is incredibly relevant. For this project, I have conducted a textual analysis which examines numerous peer-reviewed research articles and various social media posts. Social media platforms, according to Daniel Goleman, are prevalent in our everyday lives due to the fact that “social media expand(s) our universe. We can connect with others or collect information easier and faster than ever”.
Keywords: Slang, Social Media, Non-Standard Language, Connotation, Linguistics
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - English
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Jeanne Bohannon
A Study on Social Media's Influence Upon the Evolution of Slang
As social media platforms become increasingly prevalent in our society, they have begun to heavily influence the ways in which we communicate with each other. Particularly fascinating is the effect of social media sites and texting upon slang, which has evolved significantly over the past few decades. Therefore, I am researching why slang is so prevalent in our society, as well as how and why it has changed as a result of social media. My project also explores the phenomena of how online platforms have influenced the connotations of certain words so that they later become slang terms. Because both slang and social media are significant societal factors and they are constantly changing even today, this information is incredibly relevant. For this project, I have conducted a textual analysis which examines numerous peer-reviewed research articles and various social media posts. Social media platforms, according to Daniel Goleman, are prevalent in our everyday lives due to the fact that “social media expand(s) our universe. We can connect with others or collect information easier and faster than ever”.
Keywords: Slang, Social Media, Non-Standard Language, Connotation, Linguistics