THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ON SEMANTIC SHIFT IN MODERN ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Keywords:
semantic shift, digital technology, Modern English, vocabulary change, metaphorical extension, language evolutionAbstract
The rapid development of digital technology has significantly influenced the evolution of vocabulary in Modern English. Many lexical units that once had stable meanings have undergone semantic shifts as a result of their frequent use in technological and online contexts. This article examines how digital technology contributes to semantic change, with particular attention to processes such as semantic broadening, metaphorical extension, and functional reinterpretation. By analyzing words such as cloud, stream, platform, follow, and tablet, the study demonstrates how technological environments reshape lexical meaning. The findings suggest that digital innovation not only accelerates semantic change but also determines its direction, making technology one of the most powerful forces in modern lexical development.
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