David Barton

[This chapter explores the ways people engage in talks about language in digital contexts. Various types of metalinguistic discourse are discussed, including grassroots prescriptivism, the impact of internet slang, and self-deprecating metalanguage. The chapter shows how online platforms like Reddit, YouTube, and Twitter/X serve as spaces for linguistic reflection and evaluation, enabling users to express their beliefs about language norms, authenticity, and learning. Through examples and case studies, the chapter illustrates how digital media give rise to a supportive environment for language learners that encourages creative and critical engagement with language. It emphasizes the importance of linguistic reflexivity in shaping digital discourse and community building.]

[This chapter investigates the evolving nature of multilingualism in digitally mediated contexts, focusing on the manifestation of linguistic diversity in online spaces. The chapter begins by discussing the transition from a predominance of English to a more linguistically diverse internet. The concept of multilingualism is revisited and related notions such as translanguaging and networked multilingualism are introduced. The chapter is followed by case studies that illustrate people's deployment of multilingual resources, practices of code-switching, and the visibility of lesser-written and marginalized languages. The chapter addresses emerging directions for multilingualism research, such as the incorporation of multimodal practices, the interplay between online and offline contexts, and the influence of polymedia environments. The chapter offers insights into how multilingual internet users manage their linguistic resources for purposes of self-presentation and social interaction.]

[This chapter discusses the impact of social media on political discourse and participatory politics. It examines how social media platforms like Twitter/X have reshaped political engagement and enabled both top-down policy communication and grassroots activism. The chapter explores the strategic uses of language and discourse practices by political leaders and ordinary social media users for hashtag politics, linguistic activism, and disseminations of fake news and disinformation. Applying critical discourse analysis, the chapter presents case examples that reveal the power dynamics and ideologies embedded in online political discourse. The chapter also addresses the ethical concerns surrounding the spread of misinformation and hate speech on social media. Overall, this chapter provides insights into the complex interplay between language, power, and politics in the (post-)digital age.]

[This chapter explores the impact of technological innovations on various aspects of life, probing into the central role of digital technologies in reshaping language and literacy practices. It provides an overview of the historical and contemporary changes brought about by technologies such as social media and artificial intelligence. It examines how everyday activities, including academic and professional practices and social interactions, have been reshaped by digital tools. The chapter emphasizes the increasing integration of technology into daily life, known as the domestication of technology, and addresses issues such as the digital divide and the influence of social factors on language online. The chapter also delves into the evolving characteristics of language online, including structural features, social variations, power dynamics, and the fluidity of linguistic practices. Drawing on a social practice view of language and literacies, this book understands language online as situated practice, emphasizing the need for researching both text and practices in studying digitally mediated language.]

This chapter explores the multifaceted nature of stance-taking in online writing spaces, emphasizing its significance in digitally mediated interactions. It examines how stance-taking allows people to express opinions, emotions, and attitudes through various multimodal resources, including text, images, videos, memes, and graphicons. The chapter discusses the role of visual social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube in fostering stance-rich environments, where users engage in affective stance-taking through reaction buttons, emojis, and memes. It demonstrates how online posts often draw on intermodal complementarity in conveying complex emotions and shaping public opinions. The chapter also delves into the pragmatic functions of stance-taking, its implications for critical discourse analysis, identity performance, and the study of folk linguistic attitudes on social media.]

[This chapter presents ten reasons why studying the online world is crucial for understanding language, serving as the backdrop for the subsequent chapters and topics covered in the book. These reasons include the importance of textual mediation in the digital world, the evolving meanings of basic linguistic concepts, and the dynamic nature of multilingual encounters online. This chapter highlights the significance of language in knowledge creation and the evolving methods for researching language in digital contexts. These ten reasons set the stage for the book's exploration of specific language-related issues in digital media, including multilingual practices and identity performance, multimodal stance-taking, metalinguistic discourse, political discourse, verbal aggression, and vernacular literacies.]

[This chapter explores the multifaceted nature of verbal aggression online, focusing on its various manifestations, its underlying mechanisms, and the challenges in detecting and interpreting harmful discourse online. It examines the power of language in perpetuating hate speech, microaggressions, and doxxing, highlighting the complexity of defining and addressing online aggression. Through case studies and critical discourse analysis, the chapter uncovers covert strategies and linguistic devices that sustain and justify harmful behavior. It emphasizes the importance of context in understanding aggression and calls for interdisciplinary collaboration to address the complexity of online verbal abuse.]

[This chapter explores the dynamic interplay between language and identity in digital writing spaces. It examines how people perform and negotiate their identities using multilingual practices on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Flickr. Through case studies and theoretical insights, the chapter demonstrates the fluidity and multifaceted nature of identity, discussing how digital media offer various affordances for self-presentation and cultural expressions. The concept of glocal identities is introduced. The chapter also presents a techno-biographical approach to understanding online identity performance, emphasizing the role of past experiences in shaping current digital practices.]

[This chapter revisits the concept of vernacular literacies, examining how everyday reading and writing practices have evolved in the digital age. It explores the integration of digital media into daily activities, highlighting significant shifts in literacy practices over recent decades. Through case studies on popular photography, art curation on Instagram, and pregnancy-related online literacy practices, the chapter illustrates how traditional literacy practices are reshaped by digital media. Emphasis is placed on the voluntary and self-generated nature of vernacular literacies, which are contrasted with institutionalized literacy practices. The chapter further discusses how these vernacular practices empower users by fostering agency and creativity in their engagement with these practices.]

[This chapter explores key concepts such as literacy practices, multimodality, affordances, stance, and the dynamics of globalization and glocalization that are crucial in investigating language online. It discusses the fluidity of texts in digital spaces, the role of multimodal resources, and the significance of stance in online communication. The importance of social networks, affinity groups, and ambient affiliations in shaping language use is also foregrounded. By providing an overview of various online writing spaces, from traditional email through to social media and video-sharing platforms, the chapter offers a comprehensive understanding of how language and literacy practices evolve in a digitally mediated world.]