Language is a dynamic construct undergoing constant changes. These changes can be of almost any kind. Most of them are well known, but some are not, yet. One example of these very recent language changes is the item uber. The word occurs frequently in Internet chatting etc. often replacing words like very as ways to describe the superior or awesome quality of something being described. A terrific video gamer e.g. could be called an uber gamer. In order to investigate on that topic, it is necessary to trace its origin back and to get an overview of what its common usage and contextual environment might be.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Approaches to a Definition
- 3. Data and Method
- 3.1. Quality Criteria
- 3.1.1. Objectivity
- 3.1.2. Reliability
- 3.1.3. Validity
- 3.2. Methodology
- 3.1. Quality Criteria
- 4. Hands on uber
- 4.1. Formal Facts
- 4.2. Socio-demographic Facts
- 4.3. Functional Facts
- 4.3.1. Prefix
- 4.3.2. Intensifier
- 4.3.3. The Function of uber
- 4.4. Semantic Facts
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to investigate the recent language change exemplified by the word "uber," focusing on its usage, meaning, and contextual environment. The study seeks to define "uber," analyze its functions, and explore its socio-demographic and semantic characteristics within colloquial written English.
- Definition and etymology of "uber"
- Functional analysis of "uber" as a prefix and intensifier
- Socio-demographic distribution of "uber" usage
- Semantic analysis of "uber" and its connotations
- The role of internet language in the evolution of "uber"
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the dynamic nature of language and highlights "uber" as a case study of very recent language change. It observes the word's frequent appearance in online contexts, often substituting words like "very" to denote superiority or awesomeness. The chapter outlines the key research questions, including defining "uber's" meaning, function, and usage context, ultimately aiming to uncover the mechanisms behind its linguistic evolution. The need for critical data review and the challenges of studying very recent language change using standard corpora are also acknowledged.
2. Approaches to a Definition: This chapter explores the difficulties in establishing a consistent definition for "uber." It compares various dictionary definitions, highlighting discrepancies between sources like the OED, Merriam Webster Online, and the Rice University Neologisms Database regarding "uber's" function as a prefix or intensifier. The chapter delves into the word's etymology, tracing its potential origins to the German word "über" and noting the presence of Latin elements. Crucially, it examines user-generated content from online forums, revealing different interpretations of "uber's" meaning and its association with internet slang, setting the stage for a deeper investigation into the word's register and usage.
3. Data and Method: This chapter outlines the methodology used in the study, emphasizing the importance of quality criteria such as objectivity, reliability, and validity in empirical linguistic research. It particularly addresses the challenges of applying standard corpus methodologies to the study of very recent language change. The chapter briefly explains the methodologies used for data collection and analysis, preparing the reader for the detailed analysis of "uber" in subsequent chapters. The limitations of using existing corpora for analyzing rapidly evolving internet slang are also acknowledged.
4. Hands on uber: This chapter presents a detailed analysis of "uber" based on collected data. It examines the word's formal characteristics, its socio-demographic distribution, and its functional and semantic aspects. The analysis explores "uber's" use as a prefix and an intensifier, examining specific collocations and their contexts to determine its prevalent meanings and connotations. The chapter investigates the distribution of "uber" across different age groups and considers the influence of internet language on its adoption and evolution. It also presents findings concerning "uber's" semantic range and provides illustrative examples.
Keywords
Language change, neologisms, internet slang, "uber," prefix, intensifier, sociolinguistics, semantics, corpus linguistics, qualitative analysis, online dictionaries, MMORPGs.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of "Uber"
What is the main topic of this document?
This document is a comprehensive language preview focusing on the recent linguistic phenomenon of the word "uber," examining its usage, meaning, and contextual evolution within colloquial written English. It analyzes "uber's" function as both a prefix and intensifier, exploring its socio-demographic distribution and semantic characteristics.
What are the key themes explored in this study?
The study explores the definition and etymology of "uber," its functional analysis as a prefix and intensifier, its socio-demographic distribution, its semantic analysis and connotations, and the role of internet language in its evolution.
What is the objective of this research?
The primary objective is to investigate the recent language change exemplified by "uber," defining its meaning, analyzing its functions, and exploring its socio-demographic and semantic characteristics within colloquial written English. The research aims to understand the mechanisms driving its linguistic evolution.
What methodology is used in this research?
The research emphasizes the importance of quality criteria (objectivity, reliability, and validity) in data analysis. While acknowledging the challenges of applying standard corpus methodologies to very recent language change and internet slang, the study employs methods for data collection and analysis to explore "uber's" formal characteristics, socio-demographic distribution, functional, and semantic aspects.
What are the main chapters and their contents?
The document is structured as follows: Chapter 1 (Introduction) sets the stage, highlighting "uber's" rapid emergence in online contexts. Chapter 2 (Approaches to a Definition) explores the difficulties of defining "uber" by comparing various dictionary definitions and examining user-generated content. Chapter 3 (Data and Method) outlines the methodology used, including data collection and analysis techniques. Chapter 4 (Hands on uber) presents a detailed analysis of "uber's" formal, socio-demographic, functional, and semantic characteristics. Chapter 5 (Conclusion) summarizes the findings.
What data sources are used?
The research utilizes data from various sources, including online dictionaries (OED, Merriam-Webster, Rice University Neologisms Database), user-generated content from online forums, and potentially other corpora (though limitations in using standard corpora for rapidly evolving internet slang are acknowledged).
What are the key findings of the study (in brief)?
The study delves into the multifaceted nature of "uber," exploring its evolution as a prefix and intensifier, tracing its potential origins, and analyzing its usage patterns across various demographic groups and online contexts. The research highlights the challenges of defining and analyzing rapidly evolving internet slang and provides insights into the mechanisms behind recent language change.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Key terms include: Language change, neologisms, internet slang, "uber," prefix, intensifier, sociolinguistics, semantics, corpus linguistics, qualitative analysis, online dictionaries, MMORPGs.
- Quote paper
- Tolga Güneysel (Author), 2010, Language Theory and Change - Very Recent Language Change, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/159385
