Semantic and Pragmatic Analysis of Chinese Internet Neologisms

This dissertation presents a semantic and pragmatic analysis of Chinese internet neologisms, investigating their role as a pivotal linguistic and cultural phenomenon in the digital era. It addresses two questions: How are Chinese internet neologisms formed, and what underlying patterns and rules govern the semantics and pragmatics of Chinese internet neologisms? The study argues these expressions are more than ephemeral slang; they are linguistic tools that encapsulate collective identities, emotions, and social narratives, reflecting the anxieties, humor, and values of digitally native generations in contemporary China. The dissertation adopts a qualitative, data-driven approach, integrating multiple theoretical frameworks to construct a comprehensive model. The methodology combines Componential Analysis, Prototype Theory, Conceptual Metaphor Theory, and corpus-based semantic analysis to examine the internal structure and meaning-making strategies of neologisms. A curated corpus of 73 expressions was compiled from major Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu, selected for their frequency, diversity, and relevance. This multi-theoretical lens allows a nuanced examination of both semantic mechanisms and context-dependent pragmatic uses of digital expressions. The analysis identifies five primary mechanisms for the creation and evolution of Chinese internet neologisms: metaphor and conceptual mapping, homophonic wordplay, code-mixing, semantic shift and extension, and pragmatic expressiveness, where terms serve social functions such as emotional marking, solidarity, irony, and identity construction. The dissertation explores how these neologisms function as vehicles for social critique, emotional catharsis, and community bonding, effectively navigating online censorship and shaping digital communication. The findings have implications for Chinese language education, digital literacy, AI-driven sentiment analysis, and cross-cultural communication. The dissertation advocates incorporating neologisms into pedagogy to enhance student engagement and cultural competence. Limitations include the rapidly evolving nature of online language and focus on specific platforms, which may affect generalizability. Future research should employ longitudinal designs, broaden digital communities studied, and develop advanced natural language processing models capable of interpreting irony, humor, and cultural nuance to deepen understanding of their impact on language and society.