Deutscher Sprachgebrauch in sozialen Medien. Linguistische Bemerkungen zur Sprachdynamik in der Online- Kommunikation
German Language Use in Social Media. Linguistic Observations on Language Dynamics in Online Communication

Summary/Abstract: The development of technology and social networks, as well as the international communicationin the age of digital media, have a striking influence on language dynamics and the developmentof new modern forms of communication, with multiple effects on the language and cognition ofspeakers, on their social interaction and success in various communication situations, be it ineveryday life or at work. This paper examines, on a linguistic level, the development of Germanlanguage use in online communication, using the example of social media that are particularlypopular and used, e.g. Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram. Problematised are aspectsof grammaticality and comprehensibility of formulations, which can contribute to the success orfailure of communication. Speed, information density and language economy characterise recentlanguage development, whereby the large volume of anglicisms and abbreviations as well as theuse of non-verbal signs such as emojis, gifs and memes can lead to communication disruptions,incomprehensibility or translation difficulties. German language use is analysed from a dualperspective of the positive and negative consequences of these language dynamics in onlinecommunication. Last but not least, the question is addressed of how the German language canbe cultivated despite these influences and how speakers, especially DaF learners and students,can be educated to choose appropriate language forms and expressions for any situation.

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