A MORPHOSOCIOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF ACRONYMISM IN INSTAGRAM COMMENTS: FORMS, FUNCTIONS, AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION PRACTICES

Abstract

Linguistic phenomena in digital communication are rapidly evolving, particularly on social media platforms like Instagram, where users continually innovate to maintain efficient and expressive communication. One of the most noticeable and widespread practices is the use of acronyms in comment sections. These linguistic shortcuts not only help users manage the platform’s character limitations but also reflect broader sociolinguistic trends among digital communities. This study aims to explore the types and communicative functions of acronymism found in user comments on Instagram. Employing a descriptive qualitative method, data were collected from interactions on three verified and highly interactive public Instagram accounts. The results revealed that acronymism on Instagram can be classified into three main categories: abbreviations, initialisms, and conventional acronyms. These types are used not merely for brevity but also as tools for emotional expression, the creation of in-group identity, and digital culture participation. The study highlights how digital language adapts to technological environments while still fulfilling core communicative needs. By analyzing these linguistic patterns, the research contributes to a better understanding of how language evolves in online spaces and offers valuable insights for the study of digital linguistics, especially within the scope of social media interaction.