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Tang, Sin Sik (2025)

Thissssss Is How We Write: Exploring the Practice of Letter Repetition in Online Communication

Bachelor thesis | Engelse taal en cultuur (BA)
In recent years, textisms—non-standard orthographic features—have become increasingly prevalent in computer-mediated communication (CMC). Among these, one distinct yet underexplored type of textism is letter repetition. This study examines the practice of letter repetition through a small-scale corpus analysis of YouTube comments, aiming to uncover its formal properties and functions in CMC. Key findings from pattern-based observations indicate that letter repetition is applied more frequently to lexical words and articulable phonemes. Furthermore, discussions on its function suggest that letter repetition conveys emphasis both orally and visually, often underscoring emotions such as excitement, resonance, and affection.
corpus analysis
computer-mediated communication
textism
letter repetition
Author
Tang, Sin Sik
Faculty
Faculty of Humanities
Specialisation
Linguistics
Supervisors
Lipták, A.K.
ECTS Credits
10
Language
en