Sociocultural Dynamics in Online Interactions: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Acronyms on Instagram

Abstract

This study explores the complex ways acronyms shape Instagram communities online. We examine acronym usage to learn how it affects social dynamics, identity construction, and community involvement. Our critical discourse analysis-based qualitative study exposes the underlying power structures and ideologies present in using acronyms. Results show that acronyms are effective tools for expressing feelings, creating a sense of community, and negotiating social hierarchies. Their use, therefore, has the potential to exclude outsiders and perpetuate current power disparities. Acronyms are essential to the creation of online personas and the dynamics of social interaction; they are more than just language quick cuts. This research advances our knowledge of the intricate relationships that exist online between language, identity, and social dynamics. Through an analysis of acronym usage, we aim to illuminate how people navigate power systems, establish relationships, and negotiate their identities in online groups.