Netspeak
The language used in internet communication including abbreviations, acronyms, emoticons, and adapted spellings. Netspeak represents language adapted for digital contexts.
Real World
When 'lol' first spread across AOL Instant Messenger in the early 2000s, linguist John McWhorter later argued it had evolved into a pragmatic marker of empathy rather than literal laughter.
Exam Focus
Avoid describing netspeak features as 'lazy'; examiners reward candidates who explain functional and contextual reasons for linguistic innovations.
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