Are internet dialects a thing? Mike Rugnetta of Idea Channel explores the idea a bit. Are they a thing? Absolutely. So what kind of internet dialect do I have? Based on my use of hashtags, word shortenings, acronyms, gifs, memes, I probably fit under the umbrella of “American millennial internet dialect”. But beyond that I (and everyone else on the internet), have a unique dialect (filled with irony, humor,sarcasm and melancholy among other things) that fits into several different sub-(internet) dialects. As with real life on the internet we’re all influenced by a bevy things (real life, other users, other web content), that when infused with our own thoughts and personalities shapes our (internet) dialect. Additionally different mediums have different effects on my language/communication patterns. My personal style of communication can vary depending if I’m using Twitter, blogging, SMS or other mediums. All of them reflect my vernacular as a whole but each mediums brings out a different variation. My preferences of the way I consume content also varies with each passing medium. Continue reading “Online Identities Come with Their Own Vernacular”