Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Associate Professor, Department of English Language Teaching, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
This study qualitatively analyzes the usernames of Persian-speaking Instagram users to identify linguistic patterns and identity-related themes. Using the thematic analysis method 200 usernames were randomly collected from active users in Iran and the diaspora. The data were analyzed through a six-phase process: familiarization, initial coding, theme generation, theme review, final definition, and reporting. The findings indicated five primary themes: "personal names," "linguistic creativity," "cultural representation," "professional identity," and "humor and creativity." These themes illustrate the interplay between tradition and modernity in users' digital identities. Personal names show continuity of identity, often modified with numbers or suffixes for uniqueness. Linguistic creativity, evident through code-switching and playful spelling, highlights innovation and multicultural adaptation, particularly among diaspora users. Cultural representation references Iranian heritage, connecting users to their collective roots while integrating global elements such as English terms. Professional identity reflects strategic self-presentation for networking, and humor conveys playful self-expression. Overall, usernames are more than identifiers; they reflect individual and collective identities and highlight social and cultural transformations. The study emphasizes the need for further research into digital onomastics to better understand Persian-speaking users’ identities in a global context.
Keywords
- social onomastics
- digital identity
- thematic analysis
- Persian-speaking users
- linguistic patterns
Main Subjects
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