Students' Speech Behavior in Group Chats: Predictions and Prospects

M. A. Zakharova; E. V. Tishina; M. V. Kalinina

doi:10.24224/2227-1295-2026-15-3-210-225

Students' Speech Behavior in Group Chats: Predictions and Prospects

M. A. Zakharova, E. V. Tishina, M. V. Kalinina

https://doi.org/10.24224/2227-1295-2026-15-3-210-225

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Abstract

This paper investigates several persistent trends of pragmatic transformation in Russian spelling and punctuation norms within the student online environment using chat communication as a case study. The empirical basis for this research consists of data collected through an online survey conducted among students majoring in creative disciplines at Volgograd State Institute of Arts and Culture during November–December 2024. Analysis of the gathered material revealed consistent tendencies toward pragmatic transformations in Russian language usage among students in their online interactions: notably, more tolerant attitudes towards misspellings (including lowercase capitalization of proper names) and ambiguous views on punctuation errors due to potential difficulties they may cause in understanding text content. It is concluded that many new phenomena currently perceived by society as violations of linguistic standards might soon gain acceptance as permissible forms limited to informal internet-based communication contexts. Findings suggest that young people are increasingly relaxed about deviations from traditional rules of spelling and punctuation in chats, with such communications becoming free from conventional normative constraints. Within the framework of casual interaction, we observe the emergence of a novel online etiquette where speed of information exchange takes precedence over strict adherence to formal conventions while maintaining clarity and comprehensibility of messages.

Keywords

spelling and punctuation norms, online etiquette, chat language, group chat communication, linguistic forecasting

About the Authors

M. A. Zakharova

Volgograd State Institute of Arts and Culture
Russian Federation

Maria A. Zakharova - PhD in Philology, Lecturer, Department of Humanities

Volgograd

E. V. Tishina

Synergy University of Moscow
Russian Federation

Elena V. Tishina - PhD in Philology, Associate Professor, Department of Philolog

Moscow

M. V. Kalinina

Volgograd State Institute of Arts and Culture
Russian Federation

Margarita V. Kalinina - PhD in Philology, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities

Volgograd

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For citations:

Zakharova M.A., Tishina E.V., Kalinina M.V. Students' Speech Behavior in Group Chats: Predictions and Prospects. Nauchnyi dialog. 2026;15(3):210-225. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24224/2227-1295-2026-15-3-210-225

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