Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The emergence and widespread adoption of social media platforms have profoundly impacted communication patterns and language use in contemporary society. This thesis explores the influence of social media on language evolution through a Corpus Linguistics approach. The study delves into the dynamic interactions between social media communication and language change, aiming to provide valuable insights into the evolving nature of language in the digital age. Chapter 1 sets the foundation for the research, starting with an Introduction (1.1) that highlights the significance of studying the impact of social media on language evolution. The Background of Study (1.2) provides a contextual overview of the relationship between social media and language, leading to the identification of the Problem Statement (1.3). The Objectives of Study (1.4) outline the specific goals of the research, while the Limitations of Study (1.5) and Scope of Study (1.6) delineate the boundaries and focus areas. The Significance of Study (1.7) underscores the importance of understanding language change in digital communication, followed by the Structure of the Thesis (1.8) that outlines the organization of subsequent chapters. The Definition of Terms (1.9) clarifies key concepts and terminology used throughout the thesis. Chapter 2 presents a comprehensive Literature Review, examining existing research on the influence of social media on language evolution. The review synthesizes key findings and theoretical frameworks to provide a theoretical foundation for the current study. Chapter 3 details the Research Methodology, outlining the approach, data collection methods, and analytical techniques employed in the study. Methodological considerations such as corpus selection, data processing, and analysis procedures are discussed to ensure the rigor and validity of the research findings. Chapter 4 presents an in-depth Discussion of Findings, where the results of the data analysis are interpreted and contextualized within the broader framework of language evolution. Patterns of language change, linguistic innovations, and communicative practices observed in social media discourse are analyzed to elucidate the impact of digital communication on language evolution. Chapter 5 concludes the thesis with a Summary and Conclusion that synthesizes the key findings, implications, and contributions of the study. The conclusion reflects on the insights gained from the research and proposes future directions for investigating the evolving relationship between social media and language evolution. Overall, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on language change in digital communication contexts, shedding light on the complex interplay between social media practices and language evolution. By adopting a Corpus Linguistics approach, the study offers a nuanced understanding of how social media platforms shape linguistic norms, creativity, and identity in contemporary communication landscapes. Word Count 351 words

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Analyzing the Influence of Social Media on Language Evolution: A Corpus Linguistics Approach" aims to investigate the impact of social media on the evolution of language through the lens of corpus linguistics. In recent years, social media platforms have become powerful tools for communication, allowing users to interact and share information on a global scale. These platforms have changed the way people communicate, leading to the emergence of new language features, trends, and variations. The research will explore how social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others have influenced the evolution of language. By analyzing large collections of text data (corpora) from these platforms, the study will identify linguistic patterns, trends, and shifts that have arisen as a result of social media use. This analysis will provide insights into how language is shaped and transformed in the digital age. The project will employ corpus linguistics methodologies to analyze the language data collected from social media platforms. Corpus linguistics is a powerful tool that allows researchers to study language patterns and usage based on large amounts of authentic text data. By utilizing corpus linguistics techniques such as concordance analysis, collocation analysis, and keyword analysis, the research will uncover the linguistic features that have emerged or evolved due to social media influence. Furthermore, the study will investigate the social and cultural implications of the language changes observed in the context of social media. It will explore how these linguistic developments reflect broader societal trends, values, and behaviors. By examining the relationship between language use on social media and social dynamics, the research will provide a deeper understanding of the impact of social media on language evolution. Overall, this project seeks to contribute to the field of linguistics by shedding light on the complex interplay between social media and language evolution. By examining linguistic changes in the digital era, the study aims to enhance our understanding of how communication practices are shaped by technological advancements and societal changes. Ultimately, the research findings will provide valuable insights into the evolving nature of language in the digital age.