Syntactic characteristics of Canadian French-language internet memes

The aim of this research is to identify the main syntactic characteristics of French-language internet memes prevalent in the Canadian digital space. The study examines the sentences used in the textual component of Canadian memes, focusing on their structural composition, illocutionary force, and emotional coloring. The analysis reveals that complex-subordinate and simple declarative sentences are the most common types found in Canadian memes. This indicates a preference among creators for both concise and more detailed contextualization. The syntactic characteristics described in the article reflect a diversity of constructions used to convey sociocultural meanings. They serve to enhance the comic effect of the message and make it more memorable. Through their use, the authors’ desire for emotional and expressive articulation is evident. Therefore, the scientific novelty of this research lies in identifying the preferred syntactic constructions employed by Canadians in French-language memes, thereby expanding our understanding of the cultural and linguistic features of internet communication in Canada and contributing to the development of theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of digital linguistics and intercultural communication. The results confirm that the unique syntactic features of memes combine elements of humor, conciseness, and expressiveness, allowing Canadians to effectively exchange ideas, emotions, and feelings, as well as to convey cultural specificities in a simple, humorous way.