DEVIATIONS FROM THE LANGUAGE NORM – THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Abstract

This paper examines the use of Italian digital language, which is often evaluated in negative terms. Considering the fact that internet communication occupies an important place in the life of modern man, the study of the features of digital language has been the subject of much research. For those born in the digital age (it. nativi digitali), digital has become the norm to the extent that it is difficult to imagine life without multimedia interaction through modern means of communication (Bralić 145). Digital text is different from traditional written text and the rapid obsolescence of new media is changing the habits of digital language users. Italian, which has existed exclusively in the traditional written form for centuries, and has received full spoken use in the last seventy years (largely thanks to television), faces today a new revolutionary phase of development in which the majority of Italians in everyday life use written digital language. In this way, the digital age marked a return to the Italian written language. However, the language of forums and social networks is an informal language (e-Italian), quite different from the former, exceptionally formal, written Italian. The aim of this paper is to study and explain the linguistic features of the Italian language in Internet communication. The focus is on the language of blogs, forums, and social networks written in Italian over the last three years, from the beginning of 2018 to the end of 2020. The question is whether everything that deviates from the norm in the language is wrong or if, on the contrary, demonstrates the stability and ability of the language to adapt to new media and thus new conditions. The major changes on social networks are the result of the transition from the elite use of the network to the “mass network” (Gheno 2017, 103). The changes are also heading towards the direction that has yet to be identified. Thus, we notice that the use of certain language features on social networks such as abbreviations, acronyms and other similar phenomena was a way of distinction, but also a necessity dictated by technical limitations such as restricted space for writing messages and the high cost of network connection. Therefore, it comes to no surprise that in recent years we have witnessed a writing normalization directed towards approximating some kind of linguistic norm. Finally, after having removed the space and time limitations and as a result of the possibility of spell checking that is suggested by smart devices while writing, even the so-called “language play and use of creative forms of writing” has become practically a waste of time. The fact that we are in the normalization phase can also be seen thanks to other novelties on social networks. One of them is caused by the policy of some platforms that is aimed at using one’s own name and abandoning the nickname, leading to an interesting social effect demonstrating that haters do not necessarily hide behind nicknames. Moreover, there is a tendency to give more importance to the interlocutor who signs with his own name, as contrasted with those who use a nickname. It becomes normal again to introduce yourself by your real name and surname, without leaving the impression of a person that is hidden behind a mask or nickname. The use of language on social networks has changed thoroughly over time and continues to change even today, both in Italian and in other languages. It is highly probable that over time users will pay more attention to the impression they leave online and, thus, be more careful when it comes to the language, they use by respecting the prescribed language norms. In addition to dealing with language dilemmas, it is necessary to establish the right habits that will allow us to live a comfortable life online and accept the fact that we have become like mini public figures who are responsible for what they say. We should also keep in mind that, on social networks, the most emphasized part of our online personality is presented primarily by words.