Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This thesis investigates the influence of social media on language evolution through a corpus-based study. The rapid proliferation and widespread adoption of social media platforms have revolutionized the way people communicate, leading to significant shifts in language use and linguistic norms. This study aims to explore the impact of social media on language evolution by analyzing a diverse range of digital text data collected from various social media platforms. Chapter one provides an introduction to the research topic, discussing the background of the study, problem statement, objectives, limitations, scope, significance, structure of the thesis, and key definitions of terms. Chapter two presents a comprehensive literature review, covering ten key themes related to social media, language use, and language evolution. Chapter three outlines the research methodology employed in this study, detailing the data collection process, corpus compilation, linguistic analysis techniques, and tools used for data processing. The chapter also discusses the sampling methods, data analysis procedures, and ethical considerations in conducting research on social media language data. In chapter four, the findings of the corpus-based analysis are presented and discussed in detail. The chapter examines patterns of language change, linguistic innovations, and emerging trends in language use observed in the social media data. The analysis also explores the influence of social media on vocabulary, syntax, discourse patterns, and language variation. Finally, chapter five provides a conclusion and summary of the key findings of the study. The conclusion highlights the implications of the research findings for understanding language evolution in the digital age and offers insights into the dynamic relationship between social media and language change. The study contributes to the growing body of research on digital discourse and language evolution, shedding light on the transformative impact of social media on contemporary communication practices and linguistic diversity. Keywords social media, language evolution, corpus-based study, digital discourse, linguistic analysis, language change, communication practices.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "The Influence of Social Media on Language Evolution: A Corpus-Based Study" aims to explore the impact of social media on the evolution of language. In recent years, the widespread use of social media platforms has revolutionized communication patterns globally. This study seeks to investigate how these digital platforms have influenced the development, transformation, and adaptation of language within online communities. The research will utilize a corpus-based approach, which involves the collection and analysis of large bodies of text data from various social media platforms. By examining linguistic patterns, trends, and changes within these corpora, the study will identify the ways in which social media has shaped language evolution. This analysis will provide insights into the emergence of new vocabulary, syntax, and communication styles influenced by the digital environment. The project will also consider the role of social media in facilitating language variation and change across different user groups and demographics. By comparing linguistic features across platforms, user profiles, and communication contexts, the study aims to uncover the dynamic nature of language evolution within online communities. Additionally, the research will investigate the impact of social media on language standardization, language diversity, and language maintenance practices in the digital age. Through a comprehensive exploration of language evolution on social media, this study seeks to contribute to the field of sociolinguistics and digital communication studies. By analyzing linguistic data from diverse online sources, the research will shed light on the complex interplay between technology, social interaction, and language development. Ultimately, the findings of this study will enhance our understanding of how social media platforms influence language evolution and shape communication practices in contemporary society.