Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the Study-1

1.2 Methodology and Data Collection-2

1.3 Organization of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 The Definition of English Netcronyms-3

2.2 Previous Research Abroad-3

2.3 Previous Research at Home-3

Chapter Three An Adaptation-based Analysis of English Netcronyms-5

3.1 Verschueren’s Adaptation Theory-5

3.1.1 Linguistic Choices-5

3.1.2 Three Key Notions-5

3.1.3 Four Angles of Adaptability-6

3.2 The English Netcronyms Users’ Choices at the Linguistic Structural Levels-7

3.2.1 Choices of Languages-7

3.2.2 Choices of Styles-8

3.2.3 Choices of Sound Structure-8

3.2.4 Choices of Words-9

3.2.5 Choices of Sentences-9

Chapter Four Conclusion-11

4.1 Major Findings-11

4.2 Limitations and Suggestions for Further Research-11

References-12

Abstract

The Internet is the greatest invention of the 20th century. It has affected all aspects of people’s life, and the impact on the language is most remarkable. With the rapid development of society, people pursue more efficient communication so that people can compress language symbols to meet this requirement. The information that need to be expressed by more than one language symbols is compressed into less language symbols and the information remains the same---this is known as the acronym.

Therefore, the thesis focuses on the English netcronyms and the theoretical framework is based on Jef Verschueren’s Linguistic Adaptation Theory. It proposes to test whether Jef Verschueren’s Adaptation Theory can interpret English netcronyms well. On the basis of Adaptation Theory, this thesis proves that English netcronyms is the consequence of adapting to context and English netcronyms has the quality of adaptability. Through the study we can have a better understanding on English netcronyms, improve the efficiency of communication, and change the uncivilized phenomenon of language use.

Keywords:  English netcronyms  Adaptation Theory  Linguistic choices