Digital waste as a new lexical category: linguistic analysisof modern internet discourse

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Slobodianyk V. H., Слободяник А. В. № 2 (88) 140-148 Image Image

The relevance of the study is due to the rapid development of digital technologies, which are becoming an important component not only of economic and social life, but also of the linguistic environment. The analysis of new terms that have emerged in digital communication will allow not only to better understand the linguistic aspects of the di­gital environment, but also to develop approaches to the rational use of this vocabulary in the culture of communication.

The article explores digital waste as a new lexical category emerging in modern internet discourse. A classification of terms has been developed, dividing them into popular and lesser-known ones based on their sociolinguistic significance and functional saturation. Popular terms such as “spam” and “trolling” have been analyzed for their influence on communication models and sociocultural practices. Additionally, lesser-known terms, such as “junk facts” and “data zombies,” have been examined for their potential applications in professional and educational contexts. The study utilizes both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the prevalence of these terms in academic publications and social networks. The analysis shows that popular terms gain wider adoption due to their universality, while lesser-known terms remain confined to specialized domains. The article also highlights the potential of digital waste termino­logy for addressing challenges such as information overload, fake news, and ineffective digital communication. This research lays the foundation for developing communication strategies and policies to combat disinformation and optimize digital communication practices.

The term digital waste is used in software development for data analysis and cleaning. For example, artificial intelligence algorithms that take into account the problem of “zombie data” allow for the optimization of information storage and processing. The implementation of such solutions contributes to reducing energy consumption, which is consistent with the principles of sustainable development.

Keywords: digital waste, internet discourse, spam, information noise, trolling, junk facts, disinformation, communication strategies.

doi: 10.32403/0554-4866-2024-2-88-140-148


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