A Linguistic Memetic Account of Identifiable Features of Online Rumors

Abstract

In the era of information explosion, online rumors have become a global issue that urgently needs to be addressed. Within the framework of linguistic memetics, this article delves into the content, form, and process of the dissemination of online rumors, aiming to uncover their recognizable features. The study finds that online rumors are highly relevant to the lives of the hosts in terms of content, exhibit formulaic features that are easy to replicate in form, and demonstrate periodic recurrence in their disseminating process. This research could not only enrich the theoretical perspectives of rumor studies but also provide practical guidance for the identification and prevention of online rumors.