Uses and Abuses of Netspeak

Abstract

In today's digital world, Netspeak has become an exigent that educators and net-speakers cannot ignore. It is a way of speaking or writing on the Internet. It is recognized by acronyms, abbreviations, emoticons and textism as well. It is a language pattern used in Media and the global Internet users are called Net-speakers. The English language is the most preferred language on the Internet. We come across new words and terminologies by using different apps for different purposes in social media. Netspeak has many uses and abuses as well. It has contributed a lot to English vocabulary. Every now and then we get to know new words like selfie, techy, techno, yup, yo, bravo, fab, hip-hop, non-veg, and so on. Oxford dictionary adds around 500 new words in each quarter. This contribution comprises of the words used in Netspeak and other terms are formed lexicographically. Different slangs like lol (lots of laughter or laughing out land), brw (be right way), idk (I do not know), etc. are in vogue. These slangs are popular. However, everyone is not familiar with these expressions and ultimately leading to confusion and frustrations for some people. In addition to this, it has affected mainly language skills largely among children under 12 years of age. Their writing and speaking consists of Netspeak and they seem to consider it a part of their language. This piece of work has focused on the terms used in Netspeak and how these language patterns affect media positively as well as negatively.

English Word Formation on the Internet

“…This section of the paper takes a look at some of the numerous examples of Internet-related coinages and Netspeak jargon. As for the importance of Netspeak, Wahid & Farooq (2022) claim that today's digital world, it has become an exigent that educators and net-speakers cannot ignore.…”

The Analysis of Netspeak Used on Instagram

“…Netspeak is an alternative to Netlish, Cyberspeak, electronic language, electronic discourse, interactive written discourse, computer-mediated communication (CMC) and other cumbersome locutions (Crystal, 2006). It is a colloquial vocabulary that frequently used by the internet user and a way of speaking or writing on the internet that is distinguishable by words, phrases, emoticons, and acronyms (Wahid & Farooq, 2022). In actuality, it is slang that has been popularized and, in many instances, coined by Internet users.…”

“…The term 'Netspeak' refers to the online language, which is primarily utilized on social media platform and it is a brand-new form of electronic communication (Wahid & Farooq, 2022). Instagram is a popular social media platform that allows users to share photos and videos with their followers.…”