When Grammar meets giggles: Linguistic Deviation in digital Memes Part 1

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Abstract:

In today’s digital world, memes have become a powerful way to share humor, opinions, and

cultural ideas. This research looks at how language and humor come together in internet memes by focusing on linguistic deviations—intentional changes or “mistakes” in language that help

create humor and meaning. These deviations can include unusual word choices, grammar errors, spelling changes, and new ways of using meaning, and they play a big role in making memes

funny or thought-provoking. The study explores how breaking grammar rules like using the wrong verb form, mixing languages, or writing incomplete sentences is often done on purpose. These changes are used as stylistic tools to express sarcasm, irony, or social messages. We will analyze selected memes to find common language patterns and see how these funny or creative “errors” work together with images to deliver a message. This research shows that memes are not just silly jokes, but creative examples of how people use language in new and expressive ways.

The paper argues that instead of weakening language, these deviations show how language is

evolving in fun, flexible, and meaningful directions in the digital age. Using stylistic analysis, we study selected memes and identify how their language breaks common rules in fun and creative ways. We look at four main types of deviations: lexical (word choice), grammatical (sentence

structure), Graphological (spelling and punctuation), and semantic (meaning). This analysis helps us understand how these playful forms of language are used in memes to grab attention, express emotions, or reflect social issues.

Keywords:

Linguistic Deviation, Stylistic Analysis, Digital Memes, Internet Language, Humour in Language

Theoretical Framework:

This research is grounded in the principles of stylistics, particularly focusing on Geoffrey Leech’s (1969) classification of linguistic deviation, which includes deviations at the lexical,

grammatical, graphological, semantic, phonological, dialectal, and register levels. Leech argues that such deviations are deliberate choices by writers (or in this case, meme creators) to create

foregrounding—drawing attention to the form of language itself to produce stylistic effects such as humor or emphasis. The study also draws from Roman Jakobson’s (1960) model of language functions, especially the poetic and conative functions, which highlight the aesthetic and

persuasive use of language. Additionally, concepts from pragmatics, particularly Grice’s

Cooperative Principle and implicature theory, inform the analysis of how memes rely on shared cultural knowledge and contextual cues to convey layered meanings. By applying these theories to meme texts, the study views memes as modern digital texts that utilize stylistic deviation to engage audiences and create humorous or ironic impact.

Analysis:

1. Lexical Deviation:

Informal Lexis: The use of "r" instead of "are" is an example of texting or internet slang. It deviates from standard English for brevity and a casual tone.

Code-switching: The word "baqra" (Urdu/Hindi for "goat") is inserted into an otherwise English sentence. This creates a humorous cultural blend for audiences familiar with both languages.

2. Semantic Deviation:

Literal vs Figurative Meaning:

The phrase “sugar free and cholesterol free baqra” is absurd because a goat (baqra) is naturally neither processed with sugar nor considered in terms of being sugar-free.

The humour lies in treating a live animal as a labelled diet product, similar to how food items are branded in supermarkets.

3. Pragmatic Stylistics:

Cultural Context:

Refers to Eid-ul-Adha, where people buy goats (baqra) for sacrifice.

The meme humorously applies health-conscious marketing language to a religious/cultural ritual, targeting modern concerns about dieting and health.

Irony:

There’s an ironic mismatch between a religious/cultural practice (sacrificing a goat) and diet- conscious product advertising.

4. Graphological Features:

The meme’s visual layout (likely a picture of a goat with the caption) supports the humour.

The simple, informal font and language reflect internet meme culture, which values brevity and visual impact.

For more wait for secound part because this article is too long