Abstract: This paper, based on Zipf’s(1949) “Principle of Least Effort”, Martinet’s(1962) “Principle of Economy”, Grice’s(1978) “Cooperative Principle” and Horn’s(1988) Q-based and R-based Implicature, selects words and expressions that are commonly used in online chatting as research objects and analyze how Economy Principle of language is demonstrated in Chinese and English Net-language. By analyzing  word formation and syntax of both Chinese and English Net-language, the paper proves that Net-language follows the Economy Principle of Language.

Key words: Economy Principle of Language; Chinese and English Net-language; Economy Principle

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction.1

2.Literature Review1

2.1 Scope of Net-language1

2.2 Theories on Economy Principle of Language.2

3.Economy Principle of Language in Chinese and English Net-language.  

 3.1 Concise Word Formation.4

 3.1.1 Usage of Signs, Letters and Numbers4

 3.1.2 Homophones.

3.1.3Transferred Words.6

3.1.4 Abbreviations7

  3.2 Simplified Syntax8

  3.3Other Forms of Concision9

4.Conclusion

Bibliography