The Impact of Social Media on Language

Media has had a grand impact on the way language is acquired and perceived. Frarisa Chamajewa  analyzes the impact social media has had on language varieties in this digital era. In 2021, she published Language Varieties on Social Media. Different Word-Formation Processes and Their Definitions to bring attention to implications media can have on language variety. The article goes beyond the stereotypical nature of media like television, and newspapers. It looks at the impact social media has taken on merging different varieties of language together to have a cohesive social media environment.  She takes into consideration how different language varieties develop on social media with a deeper focus on word-formation processes. 

Media is a changing platform. As society had changed over from newspapers to online, media had evolved into something that is available to the entire world no matter the source. With the spread of media there has also been a spread in language. There is a variety of new vocabulary and usage of digital language in the online world(2021). Media has continued to shape the world of language as acronyms are used to express emotion and ideas.  

Much of the “lingo” that is used on social media has made its way into everyday Standard American English. This is mostly seen with abbreviation varieties. These complex words require a certain understanding of semantics to interpret the words correctly without excessive analysis (2021). Like SAE rules still apply when it comes to using abbreviations. If an abbreviation is not adapted by the many it will cease to exist. They are conceptually a highly efficient form of SAE given its shortened nature. 

Due to social media English has adopted many words for a variety of languages. In that sense, English is considered a global language and has made its way into the number one spoken language on the internet. For instance, the word guru is a loanword from Hindi and is typical in the English language (2021). Social media has led to a mix of adopted words into the English language. As time goes on and more people are using social media words will continue to be adapted and borrowed from other languages creating new varieties that may only be used on the internet.

Different language varieties have adapted from the use of social media. Social Media has allowed users to connect with the entire world. With that users have been able to adopt words from other languages and create a unique online language community. Many borrowed words from social media have made their way into Standard American English. Teens may say “lol” or “brb” taking what they have gained from social media into their life among friends or family. This creates  a dynamic English variety.

References 

Chamajewa, Farisa. (2021). Language Varieties on Social Media. Different Word-Formation Processes and Their Definitions. https://www.grin.com/document/1060209, June 21, 2022.