Literature Review of Domestic Research on Network Buzzwords

【Abstract】Through literature review, this paper points out that domestic research on network buzzwords has yielded fruitful academic achievements.

【Key words】 literature review; network buzzwords

【作者簡介】呂麗英，女，福州大學外國語學院研究生，研究方向：西方文論修辭批評。

As a language phenomenon, network buzzwords have evolved from network language and become an independent concept later than network language, so compared with overseas research on network buzzwords, domestic research on network buzzwords started relatively late, roughly in the early 21st century. (Yu Pengliang, 2014:14)

In the early researches, there is no dictionary or monograph specialized in? studying network buzzwords, most of them focus on network language while few monographs scatter research on network buzzwords.

To be specific, in terms of dictionary, there are three important dictionaries on network language. Network Vogue Dictionary (2000) compiled by Yi Wenan is the first network language dictionary in China, it breaks the tradition of indexed orchestration, rearranges the network words according to their genres and divides them into five categories, namely “network code”, “popular terms”, “technical terms”, “companies and institutions”, “digital terms”. Chinese Network Language Dictionary (2001) edited by Yu Genyuan is the first Chinese network language dictionary compiled by a linguist so far. With index arranged in the phonetic order of Chinese Pinyin, this dictionary contains 1305 network words and offers concise explanation and abundant examples of them. Jin Shan Niao Yu Tong (2003) edited by netizens is a dynamic online dictionary which collates and summarizes more than 1,000 network chat words. (Wang Yanfang, 2008: 71). These representative dictionaries fill the blank of monograph on network language, and also show researchers' preliminary efforts on collection and compilation of network terms.

As for monograph, Network Catchwords (2001) complied by Beijing kangshi institute of economic development, Practical Internet buzzwords (2001) edited by Wang Xiaowei and Catchwords and Social Vogue Culture (2004) authored by Huang Tao are all similar to dictionary on network language which collect network buzzwords in different genre and different period. New Probe Into Network Language (2010) by Tang Meiying distinguishes network buzzwords from network language and discusses the characteristics, formation and type of network buzzwords in Chapter five. Network Culture Reflected by Popular Words (2012) by Cang Lixin, Liu Zhongxiang and Li Congwen sorts out network buzzwords from 2002 to 2012 and analyzes the social changes reflected by network culture which is embodied in network buzzwords. Research on Current Popular Phrases (2013) by Xu Chaohui introduces the formation, characteristics, functions and norms of network buzzwords in the second section of Chapter four. A Comparative Study of English and Chinese Language on the Internet (2013) is the first work on the comparative study between Internet English and Chinese network language by Fu Yifei. Taking slang in Internet English and network buzzwords in Chinese network language as its key research objects, it discusses their definition, literature review, vocabulary classification, linguistic features and formation. In addition, it analyzes how human retrieve Internet English and Chinese network language from the perspective of cognitive linguistics, so as to probe into the essence of network language and advise on the standardization and development of network language. Research of Network Language Based on the Theory of Linguistics (2014) by Gao Yan consists of seven chapters in which she takes comprehensive research approach to explore network languages connotation, classification, linguistic research, as well as influence on the language teaching. Chapter seven sorts out commonly used network buzzwords. Judging from the monographs mentioned above, the author discovers that the basic research on network language such as discussion on definition, characteristics, classification, formation, etc. has been carried out; network language is generally regarded as the language used in computer-mediated communication and excluded from computer technical language; the definition of network language is becoming more and more clear while network buzzwords are still intertwined with network language, without clear boundary; gradually network buzzwords are excavated from the sea of network language by scholars and discussed with separated chapter and section.

In recent years, the number of researches on network buzzwords have reached a new high and the existing publications concerned with network buzzwords display quite reasonable and decent analysis on the study of linguistic features, generation and diffusion mechanism, social influence, etc. On top of that, two monographs specialized in network buzzwords come out. Research on the production and diffusion mechanism of network buzzwords (2016) by Jiang Xiuling is the first monograph on network buzzwords. Combining two perspectives of linguistics and sociology, it firstly takes linguistic approach to study network buzzwords from the aspects of phonetics, lexicon, syntax and text. And then on this basis, it integrates three perspectives, namely Memetics, flattened spreading mechanism, and switch of catchword between individual space and public space, to study the widespread mechanism of network buzzwords. Research on Network Buzzwords: From Social and Media Perspectives (2016) by Wang Shiyong systematically analyzes network buzzwords generation, dissemination, social attributes, social functions, as well as social problems reflected by network buzzwords from the perspective of sociology.

In terms of journal article, the author find out that domestic journal articles in recent ten years on network buzzwords are from the perspective of various disciplines, mainly Sociology, Ideological and Political Education, Pedagogy, Psychology, Chinese Language and Literature, Foreign Language and Literature, Journalism and Communication.

From above discussion, it can be identified that early researches center on the linguistic aspect of network buzzwords, gradually scholars shift their attention from the ontological linguistic study of network buzzwords to other aspects with the application of various theories from various disciplines. On the whole, domestic research on network buzzwords has yielded fruitful academic achievements. For one thing, the research field covers a wide range, extending from linguistics to semiotics, sociology, communication, psychology, ideological and political education, pedagogy and other disciplines. For another thing, the research perspectives diversifies, changing from simple classification and description of network buzzwords to combine with different theoretical perspectives.

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