Digital Languages: Exploring the Influence of Internet Language on Modern Communication

Abstract

Digital media usage has increased substantially in recent times, which in turn has significantly changed the people from different backgrounds and with different experiences communicate online through different platforms. Use of emojis, acronyms, symbolic terms and neologisms has increased significantly in communication, moreover, it has massively influenced the emotional nuance, creativity and speed of the online communication between people. This study was aimed to explore how internet language has shaped the modern communication by focusing on increased emotional expressiveness and enhanced community identities. This research has utilized qualitative research design to explore the ways in which people communicate online. Use of internet slangs has increased substantially that enhanced the digital expression of younger people especially. Descriptive analysis has been conducted in this study to discuss the popular trends in digital communication. Similarly, this study has also highlighted different challenges, for example, decline of formal linguistic norms in everyday communication and generational divides that lead to miscommunication. Findings of this study intricate that although internet language has enriched the digital discourse by enhancing expression, but the need of media literacy and contextual awareness has become significant as well to navigate the increasingly shifting nature of communication from formal to informal. This study not only sees the internet language as linguistic innovation but also highlights the binary role of internet language in sociolinguistics. This study has few recommendations that potential linguistic divide among generations should be reduced and internet language awareness should be included in the educational curriculum to enhance its effectiveness.