Virtuality and Communication: Examining Reddit texts in terms of the transformation of digital communication norms and linguistic behaviour patterns

This study explores the transformation of digital communication norms and linguistic behaviour patterns through the lens of reddit.This platform enables anonymous and semi-anonymous interactions within a multitude of subcultures.The research highlights how digital platforms shape politeness strategies, debate structures, and linguistic registers, particularly within the r/Askreddit community.By analysing the dynamics of disagreement, irony, personal attacks, and humour, the paper demonstrates how online discourse diverges from traditional face-to-face communication and reflects new norms of interaction.The study relies on theoretical frameworks in pragmatics and sociolinguistics, integrating recent empirical findings and qualitative discourse analysis.It concludes that reddit's structure, anonymity, and feedback mechanisms contribute to both the erosion and creation of norms, resulting in a hybrid culture of democratic expression, performative identity, and community regulation.The findings are relevant for understanding digital pragmatics, teaching online communication, and framing future linguistic research in virtual spaces.