Abstract:This thesis makes a study on how speakers construct their identities in Internet discourse. Previous researches on Internet discourse mainly analyze its emergence, linguistic characteristics and pragmatic value. However, researches on constructions of speakers’ identities in Internet discourse are rarely found. Based on the discourse on Twitter, three types of identities are discovered: personal identity, group identity and social identity. Personal identities involve the identity of a friendly person and the identity of a self-protective person. Group identities mainly discuss the identity of females and the identity of philanthropists. Social identities are consisted of the identity of children and the identity of celebrities.

Keywords:  Internet language  Identity  Identity Construction  Twitter

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One  Introduction-1

1.1 Internet Discourse-1

1.2 Characteristics of Internet Discourse-1

1.3 Reasons for This Study-1

1.4 Structure of This Thesis-2

Chapter Two  Literature Review-3

2.1 Emergence of Internet Discourse-3

2.2 Linguistic Characteristics-3

2.3 Pragmatic Value-3

Chapter Three  Theories of Identity-5

3.1 Definitions of Identity-5

3.2 Classifications of Identity-5

3.2.1 Personal Identity-5

3.2.2 Group Identity-6

3.2.3 Social Identity-6

3.3 Functions of Identity-6

Chapter Four  Identities of Speakers in Internet Discourse-8

4.1 Constructing Personal Identity-8

4.1.1 Constructing the Identity of a Friendly Person-8

4.1.2 Constructing the Identity of a Self-protective Person-9

4.2 Constructing Group Identity-10

4.2.1 Constructing the Group Identity of Females-10

4.2.2 Constructing the Identity of Philanthropists-11

4.3 Constructing Social Identity-12

4.3.1 Constructing the Identity of Children-12

4.3.2 Constructing the Identity of Celebrities-12

Chapter Five  Conclusion-13

5.1 Findings-13

5.2 Limitations-13

References-14