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Key research themes
1. How do social network structures influence multilingual language use and mediation on social media platforms?
This research theme investigates how individuals' integration within social networks, particularly multilingual users, shapes their language choices and enables intercultural dialogue on social media. Understanding the impact of network density, multiplexity, and the distinctive ties among language groups elucidates how social media facilitates cross-language information sharing and awareness of global issues, thus advancing sociolinguistics beyond traditional, static social variables like class or gender.
Key finding: The paper demonstrates that linguistic variation is significantly correlated with speakers' social network structures, introducing network density and multiplexity as critical factors in language use. It advances... Read more
Key finding: This study identifies how language ideologies circulate within Chilean Facebook communities, revealing social network-mediated language attitudes and identity negotiations online. It shows the complex reinforcement and... Read more
Key finding: Through qualitative analysis of Greek learners of Japanese on Facebook, this research illustrates how users actively construct group identity via language in an online social network. It highlights the fluidity and... Read more
2. In what ways does social media serve as a tool for language learning and educational linguistic activities?
This area focuses on the integration and implications of social media in language education, particularly its capacity to foster authentic communication, authorship, and social learning among language learners. It explores social media's role in creating interactive, real-world linguistic environments, peer support mechanisms, and modalities for practicing colloquial and mundane language that traditional educational settings may not efficiently provide.
Key finding: Drawing from closed Facebook groups across multiple countries, the study shows that social media interactions are simultaneously framed as social communication before an audience and educational linguistic practice. Students... Read more
Key finding: By compiling a relevant corpus of undergraduate communication on social networking sites like Facebook and WhatsApp, the research reveals distinct linguistic behaviors within academic social interactions. It highlights the... Read more
Key finding: This paper elucidates how social media has introduced new vocabulary, altered communication speed and frequency, and affected English grammar awareness among young users. Survey data shows substantial use of modified language... Read more
3. How is social media driving language change, including slang, neologisms, and pragmatic shifts, impacting communication norms?
This research theme examines the emergence and proliferation of new linguistic forms such as neologisms, slang variations, unconventional grammar, and the usage of emojis and digital symbolism within social media communication. It addresses the sociolinguistic consequences of computer-mediated communication, including language standard erosion and the pragmatic adaptations in online interactions, reflecting broader social, cultural, and technological transformations.
Key finding: The study identifies a negative impact of social media on Standard English among Cameroonian students, particularly in written texts, attributing this shift to the widespread use of computer-mediated communication features... Read more
Key finding: Focusing on Indonesian 'alay' slang prevalent on social media, this paper details how informal and often orthographically nonstandard slang varieties facilitate rapid and in-group communication among teenagers. It highlights... Read more
Key finding: This research quantifies and classifies neologisms across major social media platforms, demonstrating their prolific use and variety (clips, blends, acronyms) as linguistic creativity responding to communicative efficiency... Read more
Key finding: The paper investigates the cross-cultural semantics of symbols, emoticons, and emojis on platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, showing that their interpretative meanings vary significantly among users from different... Read more
Key finding: Employing descriptive-comparative analysis, this study identifies significant linguistic changes due to social media—including increased abbreviation usage, casual writing styles, and the adoption of foreign terms—which... Read more