Social Media Linguistics and Literary Authority: Democratisation/New Hierarchies

Abstract

This article examines the intricate relationship between social media linguistics and literary authority, exploring whether the rise of social media platforms leads to a democratisation of literary discourse or the establishment of new hierarchies. It will consider how social media impacts language, authorial voice, and reading practices, while also investigating the linguistic features that characterise online discussions. By analysing these dynamics, the article aims to determine whether social media fosters a more inclusive and diverse literary landscape or reshapes existing power structures within the literary world. The research reveals a complex landscape where traditional literary curators have been partially displaced while new forms of authority emerge through algorithmic amplification, viral mechanics, and platform-specific capital accumulation. The findings suggest that while social media has lowered barriers to linguistic participation and literary expression, it has simultaneously created novel power structures that may be more opaque and potentially exclusionary than traditional literary institutions.