The Linguistics of Social Media: An Introduction

This textbook provides an introduction to linguistics and its application to analyzing language on social media. It covers 12 different platforms and discusses how language is used to portray identity, persuade, inform, entertain, vent, and complain. The book is divided into ten chapters, each with two parts: a theoretical introduction and case studies demonstrating different discourse purposes. It is designed for students of language and social media, linguistics, and language and communication courses.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 230 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive textbook delves into the realm of linguistics, presenting concepts and frameworks that are applied to analyze language on social media. With a focus on accessibility and a wide range of examples drawn from 12 different social media platforms, including TikTok, Twitter (before the X rebrand), Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, The Linguistics of Social Media: An Introduction offers the necessary tools to understand how language is used to convey identity, persuade, inform, entertain, vent, and complain.

By examining the language used on social media, this book sheds light on the strategies employed in messages and posts across these platforms. These strategies encompass a diverse range of language registers, creativity, language play, and linguistic innovation. Through its evidence of the nuanced ways in which people engage with social media, the book showcases the linguistic savvy, strategic, and skilled nature of social media users as they navigate different genres and registers online.

The book is structured into ten chapters, each divided into two parts. Part 1 introduces key linguistic theory, while Part 2 presents case studies with examples from various social media platforms to illustrate specific discourse purposes. Each chapter concludes with a summary, references, suggested further readings, and ideas for activities and discussions. Additionally, online support materials such as multiple-choice questions and a glossary are available to enhance the learning experience.

This textbook serves as an essential resource for all courses related to language and social media, linguistics, and language and communication courses. It provides a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the linguistic aspects of social media, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to critically analyze and interpret the language used in this digital realm.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032330945