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направленные и абстрактные отношения. Несмотря на кажущуюся простоту, правильное
использование предлогов требует тонкого понимания их синтаксических ролей,
семантических вариаций и когнитивных процессов, лежащих в основе их использования.
Для не носителей языка освоение предлогов остается одним из самых сложных аспектов
приобретения навыков владения английским языком.
Рассматривая предлоги с различных лингвистических, синтаксических и
когнитивных точек зрения, это исследование обеспечивает более полное понимание их
значения в английском языке.
Список использованной литературы :
1.Конисов, Г. (2023). The use of prepositions in expressing the syntactic attitude in the sentence.
Ренессанс в парадигме новаций образования и технологий в XXI веке, 1(1), 189-190.
https://doi.org/10.47689/XXIA-TTIPR-vol1-iss1-pp189-190
2.Lakoff, G. (1987).
Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things: What Categories Reveal About the
Mind
. University of Chicago Press.
3.Конисов, Г., & Уразниязова, Г. (2024). Comparing and levelling process in typology and
translation. Актуальные вопросы лингвистики и преподавания иностранных языков:
достижения и инновации, 1(1), 64-65.
https://doi.org/10.47689/TOPICAL-TILTFL-vol1-iss1-
4.Taylor, J. R. (2003).
Cognitive Models in Language and Thought: Ideology, Metaphors, and
Meanings
. Cambridge University Press.
5.Konisov
G.U.
(2024).
The
role
of
observation
in
linguistic
typology.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14270801
NEOLOGISMS IN MODERN ENGLISH: THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND
DIGITAL CULTURE
Uzakova Aziza Kuatbaevna,
M.A. Student, Department of English Linguistics
Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh
Abstract.
This paper provides an extensive overview of how social media and digital culture have
contributed to the emergence and rapid diffusion of neologisms in Modern English. By examining
a broad range of examples – including like, unfriend, hashtag, binge – watch, doomscrolling,
finsta, and more – this study highlights the complexity of linguistic innovation online. It further
explores how these terms both reflect and reshape cultural values, user interactions, and the
continually evolving relationship between technology and language in our globalized world.
Key words:
Neologisms, social media, digital culture, linguistic innovation, word formation, youth
culture, internet slang, acronyms, and creative blends.
Over the last few decades, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have propelled a dramatic surge in the creation, adoption, and
dissemination of new vocabulary in the English language [3]. While neologisms – newly coined
words or phrases – are a hallmark of any living language, the sheer speed at which they enter
common usage has been magnified by the interconnected nature of digital environments. Social
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media communities function as real – time laboratories where expressions are tested, validated, or
abandoned based on user engagement and cultural resonance.
One of the most conspicuous examples is
like
, which has transformed from a marker of
general fondness to a quantified digital approval signal. The verb
to like
is now deeply ingrained
not only in casual speech but also in mainstream media, reflecting how semantic shifts can occur
when technology repurposes existing vocabulary. Similarly,
unfriend
, once an informal internet
term, has gained official recognition, signifying the removal of someone from one’s social
network. Both words exemplify how social media’s relational mechanics – who follows or friends
whom – translate into lexical innovation [6].
Beyond these well – known cases, Modern English has integrated numerous expressions
shaped by online trends and interactions. Some revolve around
platform – specific verbs and
nouns:
for instance,
tweet
,
retweet
, and
subtweet
originated on Twitter but now appear in everyday
speech [2]. Branding has also evolved into common verbs –
Zoom
or “to Zoom” signals video
conferencing – while
DM
(“direct message”) highlights the process by which abbreviations
become verbs.
Others reflect
new concepts of digital behavior
. The term
ghosting
describes abruptly
ceasing communication without warning, a practice especially prevalent in online relationships. A
lurker
is someone who reads social media posts or forum threads but rarely participates.
Meanwhile,
doomscrolling
(or
doomsurfing
) refers to the habit of compulsively reading negative
or anxiety – inducing news [5], and
binge – watch
signifies consuming multiple episodes of a show
in one prolonged session, a trend enabled by streaming services.
Another set of neologisms emerges from creative blends and acronyms. Words like finsta
(a combination of “fake” and “Instagram”) denote private accounts curated for close friends,
whereas fitspiration (a blend of “fit” and “inspiration”) represents motivational content related to
fitness. Acronyms such as FOMO (“fear of missing out”) capture the anxiety of missing social
opportunities, while TL;DR (“too long; didn’t read”) summarizes or dismisses extensive content
in a single breath [7]
.
Many expressions also address
digital culture and social commentary
. For example,
stan
– derived from blending “stalker” and “fan” – describes an extremely devoted supporter of a
celebrity or brand, while
ratio
on Twitter refers to replies receiving more likes than the original
post, often suggesting disagreement or criticism.
Cancel (culture)
highlights the collective boycott
of figures deemed objectionable [1], and
clickbait
underscores the financial incentives behind
sensational headlines designed primarily to attract clicks.
In addition, certain terms capture an
internet – driven lifestyle and economy
. An
influencer
wields significant reach across social networks and can shape consumer behavior, whereas
crowdfunding
and
crowdsourcing
illustrate how online communities pool resources or ideas for
various ventures. Words like
lifehack
refer to everyday tips popularized through short – form social
media, while
NFT (Non – Fungible Token)
designates a digital certificate verifying ownership of
a unique virtual artifact, such as art or collectibles.
Finally,
evolving slang and informal expressions
provide insight into how quickly language
shifts among younger demographics.
Sus
(short for “suspicious”), popularized by the online game
Among Us
, spread rapidly into everyday youth parlance [4], while
cringe
describes something
awkward or embarrassing.
Cheugy
denotes out – of – date or overdone trends, reflecting fast –
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moving youth culture, and
adulting
humorously labels the embrace of everyday adult
responsibilities by millennials and Gen Z.
In each of these clusters, the underlying processes of word formation – conversion,
compounding, blending, and acronym – building – reflect how social media creates new contexts
for linguistic experimentation. What starts as playful internet slang can quickly become essential
in describing contemporary experiences, eventually earning recognition in dictionaries and
academic discourse if its usage persists. The global reach of English – bolstered by widespread
Anglophone media – amplifies the spread of these terms, as speakers in diverse linguistic
communities adapt them to fit local morphologies or scripts. This phenomenon highlights
English’s role as a lingua franca in digital spaces, illustrating how online culture fosters mutual
influences between languages worldwide.
Moreover, the social norms and behaviors these terms encode often reveal underlying
cultural shifts.
Cancel culture
illuminates collective moral judgments enacted through social
platforms, while
doomscrolling
signals the psychological cost of constant connectivity. Emerging
economic models, seen in
influencer
marketing or
crowdfunding
campaigns, further underscore
the intertwined nature of language, commerce, and identity in the digital era. In essence, these
newly minted words serve as both linguistic tools and cultural barometers, reflecting and shaping
how we engage with the world online.
From the perspective of language research, the swiftness of lexical innovation underscores
the challenge of tracking and documenting neologisms. Linguists, lexicographers, and educators
must determine which terms merit inclusion in authoritative references, a process now
significantly accelerated through the use of online tracking tools. Teachers, too, often incorporate
these words into lesson plans, helping learners navigate the rapidly evolving communication
landscape. Consequently, social media neologisms stand as a testament to human adaptability,
marking the fluid boundary where language, technology, and community converge.
References
1.
Clark, M. D. (2020). Cancel culture: A critical review. Data & Society.
https://datasociety.net/wp-
content/uploads/2020/10/2020_OriginalArticle_Clark_CancelCulture.pdf
2.
Klymenko, O. (2017). Twitterverse: The Birth of New Words. Proceedings of the Linguistic
Society of America, 2(1), 1–12.
3.
McCulloch, G. (2019). Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language.
Riverhead Books.
4.
Merriam-Webster. (2022). Sus. In Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/what-does-sus-mean
5.
Sharma, B., Lee, S. S., & Johnson, B. K. (2022). The dark at the end of the tunnel:
Doomscrolling on social media newsfeeds. Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 3(1).
6.
Shen, Y. (2024). Impact of social media on the evolution of English semantics through
linguistic analysis.
7.
Word Formation in English: An Overview Using Social Media Examples. Retrieved from
https://prezi.com/p/6qifumafiguu/word-formation-in-english-an-overview-using-social-media-
examples/
