Constructing language identity on Reddit

master's thesis

• Title (croatian): Kreiranje jezičnog identiteta na Reddit-u
• Author: Lana Zorić
• Mentor: Mateusz-Milan Stanojević (mentor)
• Committee member: Višnja Josipović-Smojver (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Anđel Starčević (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; (Department of English language and literature); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2024-12-05, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: HUMANISTIC SCIENCES; Philology; Anglistics

Abstract

This thesis explores how language identity is constructed in the Reddit community, specifically within the r/PeterExplainsTheJoke subreddit. Reddit’s unique forum-based structure provides a rich environment for examining virtual identity formation and group dynamics. Through computer-mediated discourse analysis (CMDA), this research investigates whether the individuals communicating can be considered a virtual community. Additionally, the focus is placed on the way Reddit users engage in identity-building through shared humor, recurring language patterns, and social interactions, establishing both individual and collective identities within the subreddit. The findings reveal that community members create a micro-community characterized by a shared understanding of inside jokes, mutual support, and various roles which help to establish group cohesion alongside group identity, which shapes the identity of Redditors participating in the discussion.

Abstract (croatian)

Ovaj diplomski rad istražuje način na koji se oblikuje jezični identitet unutar Reddit zajednice, specifično na subreddit-u r/PeterExplainsTheJoke. Jedinstvena struktura Reddit-a koji funkcionira poput foruma pruža bogat okvir za proučavanje virtualne izgradnje identiteta i dinamike grupa. Kroz analizu računalno posredovanog diskursa (eng. computer-mediated discourse analysis, tj. CMDA), ovo istraživanje ispituje mogu li se osobe koje komuniciraju u specifičnom virtualnom okruženju smatrati virtualnom zajednicom. Također, proučavao se na način na koji korisnici Reddit-a sudjeluju u izgradnji identiteta kroz zajednički humor, ponavljajuće jezične obrasce i društvene interakcije, stvarajući tako individualne i grupne identitete unutar subreddita. Rezultati pokazuju da korisnici koji komuniciraju u navedenom subredditu stvaraju mikro-zajednicu koja se odlikuje zajedničkim razumijevanjem internih šala, međusobnom podrškom i različitim ulogama koje pomažu uspostavljanju kohezije grupe, zajedno s grupnim identitetom koji oblikuje identitet Reddit korisnika koji sudjeluju u diskusiji.

• Keywords: Reddit; CMC; virtual community; virtual identity
• Keywords (croatian): Reddit; računalno posredovana komunikacija (eng. CMC); virtualna zajednica; virtualni identitet
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:131:831276
• Study programme: Title: English Language and Literature (double major); specializations in: Linguistics, Literature and Culture, Translation, TEFL; Course: Linguistics; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra engleskog jezika i književnosti (magistar/magistra engleskog jezika i književnosti)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Repository: ODRAZ
• Created on: 2024-12-08 18:41:31