Challenges of Neologization on the Internet

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a linguistic study on the challenges of neologization on the Internet. The language in focus here is Kiswahili. The study follows the framework of lexical pragmatics theory. The main objective was to investigate the extent to which Kiswahili neologisms that have resulted from localizations programs by Google and Microsoft pose challenges to the users of the Internet. This study is organized in five chapters. Chapter one focuses on introduction. Issues discussed here are: background to the study, statement of the problem, objectives, hypotheses, rationale, scope and limitation, theoretical framework, literature review, and methodology. In chapter Two, we classify and discuss the neologisms. The classification is based on the process involved in their creations. In chapter Three, we compare the localization perspective between Google and Microsoft. It is in this chapter that we strive to see which group had the best practices in the creation of the neologisms and, consequently, better communicative effectiveness of the neologisms. Chapter Four tests the theory. The data collected was subjected to the processes of lexical pragmatics to find out if the theory could adequately analyze it. Chapter Five concludes the study. Remarks on the research findings and hypotheses are made, conclusions drawn and recommendations for further studies made. It is in this chapter that we acknowledge the fact that by the mere fact that most of the neologisms are very new, this pose a challenge to their understanding by many Internet users.