The Influence of Technology on Contemporary English Vocabulary: Neologisms and Digital Discourse
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47067/ramss.v8i1.445Keywords:
Technology, Neologisms, Digital Discourse, English Vocabulary, Language Change, Digital Communication, Academic Language, Social Media, Teaching PracticesAbstract
This qualitative research explores the impact of technology on contemporary English vocabulary, focusing on neologisms and digital discourse. The study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 12 English-speaking teachers from universities in Punjab, Pakistan, chosen for their deep engagement with both language and technology. The research aimed to understand how technological advancements influence language use in academic and professional contexts. Data collection was done via interviews, and the subsequent thematic analysis was carried out to extract dominant themes and trends. It was evident that there was significant change in words used due to the introduction of new neologisms, such as "selfie," "meme," "hashtag," and "streaming," all of which have their origin from the digital age. Moreover, other digital terminologies like "cloud computing," "IoT," and "AI" have become extensively absorbed, indicating a growing trend toward the convergence of technology and language. The study also found changes in communication styles, which include increased informality in teaching and professional settings, where there is a presence of abbreviations, emojis, and slang. These changes represent a broader shift toward digital discourse, in which social media has significantly impacted the use of language. Regarding teaching practices, technology has become an integral part of methodologies through interactive tools and digital assignments, further changing the learning environment. However, though some participants adopted these new lexical elements, others opposed them and stuck to the original vocabulary. Thus, this research demonstrates the extent to which technology impacts language: opportunities and challenges in the developing vocabulary of modern English.
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