The Evolution of Language in the Age of Technology: Digital Language

Abstract

Language use, the most important part of human communication, is a phenomenon that constantly changes and evolves over time depending on various factors. Today, one of the factors, perhaps the most important one, that enables language to change and develop, in other words, to evolve, is digital technology. With the emergence of computer and internet technology and its penetration into every aspect of human life, dramatic changes have occurred in communication and language use. The new language model in communication on the internet is called 'digital language'. This concept, suitable for research in many aspects, is especially worthy of linguistic investigation at macro and micro levels. This article aims to explain the characteristics of digital language, the differences between it and standard language, the positive and negative aspects of it, and to make predictions about the future of this change by making use of the studies conducted in the literature.