Internet language features used by British and American Singers on Instagram

This study investigates the internet language features used by British and American singers on Instagram. Internet language features is a features that is used to supply the sequence of non-verbal sign to make clear of the meaning based on the context in online setting. That features have function to help us sending message as fast as possible. The internet language features are analyzed based on Danet (2001) classification of common features in digital writing which consist of ten features (multiple punctuation, eccentric spelling, capital letters, asterisk for emphasis, written-out laugher, description of action, emoticon, abbreviation, rebus writing, and all lower case). This study applied qualitative approach because the data can be seen from written word, phrases, photos, or symbols which interpret action and occurrences in our social life. This research reveals two another features found in the data, they are respelling and lexical shortening. The result show that British singers used more types of internet language features than American singers. This can be assumed that British singers are more excessive on using language than American singers. British singers used 10 internet language features, but 8 features from Danet’s (2001) theory, they are multiple punctuation, eccentric spelling, capital letters, asterisk for emphasis, emoticons, abbreviation rebus writing, and all lower case. But the researcher found 2 new features in this data are respelling and lexical shortening. So, the total internet language features that are used by the British are 10 internet language features. However different from America, there are 8 internet language features are used by American singers. Those internet language features come from Danet’s theory are multiple punctuation, eccentric spelling, capital letters, written-out laugher, emoticons, abbreviation, rebus writing, and all lower case. And there are no new features found on this data. So the total data of internet language features are used by American singers are 8 features.