THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL COMMUNICATION ON MODERN ENGLISH VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT

Digital communication has significantly transformed the development of modern English vocabulary. The rapid growth of social media platforms, instant messaging applications, online forums, and digital technologies has accelerated lexical innovation and expanded the global circulation of English expressions. This study examines the influence of digital communication on vocabulary development in modern English, focusing on neologisms, abbreviations, internet slang, emoji-based communication, and lexical borrowing. The research analyzes linguistic changes caused by social networking platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Telegram. The study employs qualitative and descriptive research methods based on comparative analysis of scholarly literature and digital discourse. Findings indicate that digital communication contributes to vocabulary expansion, semantic shifts, language simplification, and the globalization of informal English expressions. At the same time, concerns regarding linguistic standardization and academic language quality remain important issues among linguists. The article concludes that digital communication has become one of the major driving forces in the evolution of contemporary English vocabulary and has permanently influenced communication practices in the digital era.