Leiden University Student Repository

Roozekrans, Marije (2022)

Semantic Variation in the Gaming Lexicon Within the Gaming Community

Bachelor thesis | Engelse taal en cultuur (BA)

This study explores the meaning of five game related words and whether there is semantic variation within the lexicon of the gaming community. Even though there are tens of thousands of video games on the market (Statista, 2022a) and around three billion gamers worldwide (Newzoo, 2021), little research has been done concerning gamers’ linguistics. This research includes an analysis based on a worldwide online survey about the meaning of five gaming terms. 379 respondents gave answers about their age, gender, country of origin and their most played games, as well as their description of five given gaming terms. The respondents were sorted into four categories, or Gamer Types, based on the game genre they play the most. The correlation between the Gamer Types and their descriptions of the five gaming words was analysed. The results of this research suggest that there is semantic variation within the gaming community. However, the results also imply there is no immediate correlation...Show moreThis study explores the meaning of five game related words and whether there is semantic variation within the lexicon of the gaming community. Even though there are tens of thousands of video games on the market (Statista, 2022a) and around three billion gamers worldwide (Newzoo, 2021), little research has been done concerning gamers’ linguistics. This research includes an analysis based on a worldwide online survey about the meaning of five gaming terms. 379 respondents gave answers about their age, gender, country of origin and their most played games, as well as their description of five given gaming terms. The respondents were sorted into four categories, or Gamer Types, based on the game genre they play the most. The correlation between the Gamer Types and their descriptions of the five gaming words was analysed. The results of this research suggest that there is semantic variation within the gaming community. However, the results also imply there is no immediate correlation between the Gamer Types and their descriptions of the given gaming terms.Show less

semantic variation

video games

genres

gaming community

Author

Roozekrans, Marije

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Smakman, D.

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en