The Lexicon of Campus Life: A Study of Acronyms and Abbreviations Use in Social Media Texting Among Jordanian Students at Jadara University
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Digital communication has fundamentally reshaped the linguistic habits of young adults, particularly university students who engage extensively with social media platforms. Within this context, the use of acronyms and abbreviations has emerged as a defining characteristic of online discourse, serving not only communicative efficiency but also socio-cultural functions. This study aims to investigate the types, frequency, motivations, and communicative implications of abbreviation use among undergraduate students at Jadara University in Jordan. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combined data from a structured online survey completed by 200 students with qualitative content analysis of text message samples provided by 50 participants. The survey collected demographic details, social media usage patterns, and self-reported attitudes toward abbreviation use, while the content analysis examined the real-life deployment of these linguistic forms in digital contexts. Findings revealed a high prevalence of abbreviation use across platforms, particularly on WhatsApp and Snapchat, with "LOL," "BRB," and course-related codes like "MKT101" being the most common. Motivations included efficiency, informality, identity expression, and trend-following. Qualitative data underscored the contextual fluidity and occasional ambiguity in abbreviation use, while also reflecting creativity and social bonding. These results highlight the dynamic interplay between digital communication, language economy, and identity construction. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of youth sociolinguistics and digital literacy in Arabic-English bilingual settings, with implications for educators, linguists, and communication practitioners.
Source: Forum for Linguistic Studies
Author: Nashat Alshaboul
Institution: Jadara University
Language: English
Subfield: Linguistics and Language
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412759010