Internet Linguistics

The Internet is now an integral part of contemporary life, and linguists are increasingly studying its influence on language. In this student-friendly guidebook, leading language authority Professor David Crystal follows on from his landmark bestseller Language and the Internet and presents the area as a new field: Internet linguistics.

In his engaging trademark style, Crystal addresses the online linguistic issues that affect us on a daily basis, incorporating real-life examples drawn from his own studies and personal involvement with Internet companies. He provides new linguistic analyses of Twitter, Internet security, and online advertising, explores the evolving multilingual character of the Internet, and offers illuminating observations about a wide range of online behaviour, from spam to exclamation marks.

Including many activities and suggestions for further research, this is the essential introduction to a critical new field for students of English language, linguistics and new media at all levels.

“Crystal draws on his wealth of expertise to shed light on the important issues related to language form and use online. Internet Linguistics should be read by all graduate and undergraduate students interested in applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, and computer-mediated communication.”

Mark Warschauer, University of California, USA

“David Crystal is a master linguist and master teacher. Given his expertise on language and the internet, he is the ideal author for this student text.”

Naomi S. Baron, American University, USA

“Crystal provides a unique overview of authentic applications for linguistics on the internet and the methodological issues raised in the case-studies will be relevant for a wide range of projects that readers may be working on. This will become essential reading for students in this area.”

Charlotte Taylor, University of Portsmouth, UK