A LEXICO-SEMANTICS ANALYSIS OF NEOLOGISM IN SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Abstract

This study explores the lexico-semantic features of neologisms used in social media communication. It examines how new words are formed, adapted, and assigned meanings within the dynamic linguistic environment of digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, and TikTok. The study investigates the morphological processes—such as blending, clipping, compounding, and affixation—that contribute to the creation of social media neologisms. It also analyzes the semantic changes these new expressions undergo, including broadening, narrowing, amelioration, and metaphorical extension. The theoretical framework adopted in this study is the Language Change Theory as posited by Labov (1994). It also adopts a descriptive qualitative approach, drawing data from recent posts and online interactions between 2020 and 2025. Findings reveal that social media has become a powerful linguistic space where creativity, identity, and culture intersect to produce novel lexical items that reflect modern communication trends. The study concludes that neologisms on social media not only enrich the English lexicon but also mirror sociocultural evolution and technological advancement in contemporary discourse.