MEMES, SLANG AND ABBREVIATIONS: THE PROCESS OF POPULARIZATION OF NEW WORDS

Abstract

Modern linguistics requires a deep study of the process of formation and popularization of new lexical units. In particular, as a result of the development of the Internet and digital means of communication, memes, slang and abbreviations are rapidly becoming popular. This process is significant not only linguistically, but also sociolinguistically and culturally. The concept of meme, put forward by Richard Dawkins (1976), was initially interpreted as a cultural phenomenon, but today Internet memes have become an integral part of linguistic innovations. Slang represents a dynamic layer of informal communication and is widely used in the communicative process among young people and social groups. Abbreviations, on the other hand, are associated with the need for concise and fast communication and are widely used in social networks, SMS and official correspondence. This article aims to analyze the formation, popularization and linguistic status of memes, slang and abbreviations from a scientific point of view.