A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Nicknames in South Korean Professional Football Clubs: Focusing on K League 1 and K League 2

This study aimed to analyze the formation and usage patterns of club nicknames in the professional football leagues K League 1 and K League 2 of the Republic of Korea from a sociolinguistic perspective. To this end, research questions were established to explore the socio-cultural factors reflected in the nicknames as well as their roles within fan communities and public discourse. The data were collected from online fan communities and media reports, and the gathered nickname data were analyzed. The findings revealed that (1) club nicknames reflect diverse socio-cultural resources, including regional identity, visual and tactical characteristics, wordplay, club performance, and franchise relocations; (2) they both strengthen solidarity within fandoms and provoke conflict and exclusion; and (3) there is a tendency for nicknames to shift from humorous expressions to hate speech and aggressive discourse. This study is significant in that it expands the understanding of sports sociolinguistics by demonstrating that club nicknames constitute a complex symbolic system situated at the intersection of local communities, fan cultures, and linguistic ethics, beyond being mere unofficial designations.