Abbreviations in social media communication: Accounting for neology and lexicographic treatment

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Abbreviations form a large part of current social media communication, where messages are conditioned by time and space, allowing for fast communication in a limited space. Many abbreviations do not have an impact on language data, since they are just an alternative form of their corresponding non-abbreviated expression. However, they are a productive source of neologisms. This article presents an analysis of the trendy abbreviations used in social media by Portuguese youth and the associated neology phenomena. The lexicographic treat-ment of these abbreviations in the context of planning a dictionary designed to help people cope with these new trends is discussed, with a particular emphasis on neologisms. In considering the target audience and the main focus of users’ needs and profiles in modern lexicography, the decisions presented cover general options for data selection, and for the definition and design of the microstruc-ture and macrostructure of the dictionary.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)173-193
Number of pages21
JournalLexicography
Volume10
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Nov 2023

Keywords

  • Abbreviations
  • Lexicographic treatment
  • Neologisms
  • Slang
  • Social media communication

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