The anthropotropic evolution of Chinese cyber language: a study of dissemination patterns, communication mechanisms, and self-regulatory features

This paper discusses the evolution of cyber language in China. In the framework on Anthropotropic media trends, this study attempts to discuss the core issue of whether cyber language conforms to the Anthropotropic Trend during the past three decades. The specific research questions are: (1) how does cyber language realize the extension of space from actual to virtual? (2) how does cyber language restore the real world through different forms? and (3) how does cyber language purify itself by having a self-regulation mechanism? This study analyses a corpus featuring cyber language collected over the past three decades, and examines content using a big data approach. The study found three patterns in the evolution of cyber language, which we characterized as free dissemination, natural communication and self-regulation. The evolution of cyber language is a dynamic process characterized by diversity, which not only reflects the changes in language and culture, but also reveals shifts in social zeitgeist. As an important Oriental language, Chinese cyber language is expected to provide samples for the comparative study of language changes in other regional cyberspaces.