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{{Short description|Obfuscated speech on social media}}
{{Short description|Obfuscated speech on social media}}
'''Algospeak'''{{Efn|also known as '''Voldemorting''' or '''slang replacement''',<ref name=Stano/> a [[blend word|blend]] of ''Algorithm'' and ''-speak''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kireeva |first=Anna |date=2022 |title=Neologisms: Sociolinguistic Approach |url=https://www.ssrn.com/abstract=4232119 |journal=SSRN Electronic Journal |language=en |doi=10.2139/ssrn.4232119 |issn=1556-5068}}</ref>}} is the use of coded expressions to evade automated moderation algorithms on [[social media]] platforms such as [[TikTok]] and [[YouTube]]. Users use algospeak to discuss topics deemed sensitive to moderation algorithms while avoiding penalties such as [[shadow banning]]. A type of [[internet slang]],<ref name="social">{{Cite journal |last1=Steen |first1=Ella |last2=Yurechko |first2=Kathryn |last3=Klug |first3=Daniel |date=September 2023 |title=You Can (Not) Say What You Want: Using Algospeak to Contest and Evade Algorithmic Content Moderation on TikTok |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20563051231194586 |journal=Social Media + Society |language=en |volume=9 |issue=3 |doi=10.1177/20563051231194586 |issn=2056-3051|doi-access=free }}</ref> Calhoun and Fawcett described it as a "linguistic self-censorship".<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Kendra |first1=Alexia |last2=Calhoun |first2=Fawcett |date=December 30, 2023 |title="They Edited Out her Nip Nops": Linguistic Innovation as Textual Censorship Avoidance on TikTok |url=https://www.languageatinternet.org/articles/2023/calhoun |journal=Language@Internet |volume=21 |pages=1–30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lorenz |first=Taylor |date=8 April 2022 |title=Internet 'algospeak' is changing our language in real time, from 'nip nops' to 'le dollar bean' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/04/08/algospeak-tiktok-le-dollar-bean/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Delkic |first=Melina |date=2022-11-19 |title=Leg Booty? Panoramic? Seggs? How TikTok Is Changing Language |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/19/style/tiktok-avoid-moderators-words.html |access-date=2024-04-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Kreuz |first=Roger J. |date=13 April 2023 |title=What is 'algospeak'? Inside the newest version of linguistic subterfuge |url=https://theconversation.com/what-is-algospeak-inside-the-newest-version-of-linguistic-subterfuge-203460 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=[[The Conversation]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Tellez |first=Anthony |title='Mascara,' 'Unalive,' 'Corn': What Common Social Media Algospeak Words Actually Mean |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonytellez/2023/01/31/mascara-unalive-corn-what-common-social-media-algospeak-words-actually-mean/?sh=634d52092a08 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=From Camping to Cheese Pizza, 'Algospeak' is Taking over Social Media |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2022/09/16/algospeak-social-media-survey/?sh=37d539855e10 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Klug |first1=Daniel |title=Companion Proceedings of the ACM Web Conference 2022 |last2=Steen |first2=Ella |last3=Yurechko |first3=Kathryn |date=2022 |isbn=9781450394192 |pages=234–237 |chapter=How Algorithm Awareness Impacts Algospeak Use on TikTok |doi=10.1145/3543873.3587355 |access-date=2 January 2024 |chapter-url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.1145/3543873.3587355 |s2cid=258377709}}</ref><ref name="Stano">{{Cite journal |last=Stano |first=Simona |date=2022 |title=Linguistic guerrilla warfare 2.0: On the "forms" of online resistance |url=http://rifl.unical.it/index.php/rifl/article/view/776 |journal=Rivista Italiana di Filosofia del Linguaggio |language=en |issue=2022: SFL - Language, powers, rights (eds. A. Bertollini & S. Garello) |doi=10.4396/2022SFL13 |issn=2036-6728}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ifeanyi |first=KC |date=2022-10-31 |title=Decoding what algospeak really means for Content Creators |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90802742/decoding-what-algospeak-really-means-for-content-creators |website=Fast Company}}</ref>
'''Algospeak'''{{Efn|also known as '''Voldemorting''' or '''slang replacement''',<ref name=Stano/> a [[blend word|blend]] of ''Algorithm'' and ''-speak''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kireeva |first=Anna |date=2022 |title=Neologisms: Sociolinguistic Approach |url=https://www.ssrn.com/abstract=4232119 |journal=SSRN Electronic Journal |language=en |doi=10.2139/ssrn.4232119 |issn=1556-5068}}</ref>}} is the use of coded expressions to evade automated moderation algorithms on [[social media]] platforms such as [[TikTok]] and [[YouTube]]. It is used to discuss topics deemed sensitive to moderation algorithms while avoiding penalties such as [[shadow banning]]. A type of [[internet slang]],<ref name="social">{{Cite journal |last1=Steen |first1=Ella |last2=Yurechko |first2=Kathryn |last3=Klug |first3=Daniel |date=September 2023 |title=You Can (Not) Say What You Want: Using Algospeak to Contest and Evade Algorithmic Content Moderation on TikTok |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20563051231194586 |journal=Social Media + Society |language=en |volume=9 |issue=3 |doi=10.1177/20563051231194586 |issn=2056-3051|doi-access=free }}</ref> Calhoun and Fawcett described it as a "linguistic [[self-censorship]]".<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Kendra |first1=Alexia |last2=Calhoun |first2=Fawcett |date=December 30, 2023 |title="They Edited Out her Nip Nops": Linguistic Innovation as Textual Censorship Avoidance on TikTok |url=https://www.languageatinternet.org/articles/2023/calhoun |journal=Language@Internet |volume=21 |pages=1–30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lorenz |first=Taylor |date=8 April 2022 |title=Internet 'algospeak' is changing our language in real time, from 'nip nops' to 'le dollar bean' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/04/08/algospeak-tiktok-le-dollar-bean/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Delkic |first=Melina |date=2022-11-19 |title=Leg Booty? Panoramic? Seggs? How TikTok Is Changing Language |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/19/style/tiktok-avoid-moderators-words.html |access-date=2024-04-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Kreuz |first=Roger J. |date=13 April 2023 |title=What is 'algospeak'? Inside the newest version of linguistic subterfuge |url=https://theconversation.com/what-is-algospeak-inside-the-newest-version-of-linguistic-subterfuge-203460 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=[[The Conversation]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Tellez |first=Anthony |title='Mascara,' 'Unalive,' 'Corn': What Common Social Media Algospeak Words Actually Mean |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonytellez/2023/01/31/mascara-unalive-corn-what-common-social-media-algospeak-words-actually-mean/?sh=634d52092a08 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=From Camping to Cheese Pizza, 'Algospeak' is Taking over Social Media |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2022/09/16/algospeak-social-media-survey/?sh=37d539855e10 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Klug |first1=Daniel |title=Companion Proceedings of the ACM Web Conference 2022 |last2=Steen |first2=Ella |last3=Yurechko |first3=Kathryn |date=2022 |isbn=9781450394192 |pages=234–237 |chapter=How Algorithm Awareness Impacts Algospeak Use on TikTok |doi=10.1145/3543873.3587355 |access-date=2 January 2024 |chapter-url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.1145/3543873.3587355 |s2cid=258377709}}</ref><ref name="Stano">{{Cite journal |last=Stano |first=Simona |date=2022 |title=Linguistic guerrilla warfare 2.0: On the "forms" of online resistance |url=http://rifl.unical.it/index.php/rifl/article/view/776 |journal=Rivista Italiana di Filosofia del Linguaggio |language=en |issue=2022: SFL - Language, powers, rights (eds. A. Bertollini & S. Garello) |doi=10.4396/2022SFL13 |issn=2036-6728}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ifeanyi |first=KC |date=2022-10-31 |title=Decoding what algospeak really means for Content Creators |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90802742/decoding-what-algospeak-really-means-for-content-creators |website=Fast Company}}</ref>


⚫
Algospeak is different from other types of [[netspeak]] in that its primary purpose is to avoid moderation, rather than to create communal identity. However, algospeak may still be used in online communities.<ref name="social" />
⚫
== Causes ==
⚫
Many social media platforms use automated content moderation systems to align content with the platform's guidelines, which are often not determined by the users themselves.<ref name=":1" /> Tiktok, in particular, employs human moderators and [[artificial intelligence]], in addition to reviewing user reports. Such AIs are often called "algorithms" or "bots" despite them not following a strict algorithm. TikTok's unequal enforcement on topics such as [[LGBT]] and [[obesity]] has led a to a view of it being contradictory and "inconsistent".<ref name="social" /> In addition, AI may miss important context. Communities who aid people who struggle with self-harm or suicidal thoughts may inadvertantly get caught in the automated moderation.<ref name=":2" /> and the [[black box]] model of AIs makes it opaque to research.<ref name="social" />


⚫
In 2022'', [[Forbes]]'' reported that almost a third of American social media users reported using "emojis or alternative phrases" to subvert content moderation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Alexandra S. |title=From Camping To Cheese Pizza, 'Algospeak' Is Taking Over Social Media |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2022/09/16/algospeak-social-media-survey/ |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
Algospeak is different from other types of netspeak in that its primary purpose is to avoid moderation, instead of helping to create communal identity, though algospeak may be used in online communities.<ref name="social" />


⚫
== Causes ==
⚫
As of 2022 according to ''Forbes,'' almost a third of American social media users reported using "emojis or alternative phrases" to subvert content moderation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Alexandra S. |title=From Camping To Cheese Pizza, 'Algospeak' Is Taking Over Social Media |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2022/09/16/algospeak-social-media-survey/ |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
Many social media platforms use automated content moderation systems to align content with the platform's guidelines, which are often not determined by the users themselves.<ref name=":1" /> TikTok in particular uses [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) for moderation purposes, in addition to reviewing user reports and employing human moderators. Such AIs are often called "algorithms" or "bots", despite them not following a strict algorithm. TikTok's unequal enforcement on topics such as [[LGBT]] and [[obesity]] has led a to a view of AI moderation being contradictory and "inconsistent".<ref name="social" /> In addition, AI may miss important context; for example, communities who aid people who struggle with self-harm or suicidal thoughts may inadvertently get caught in the automated moderation.<ref name=":2" /> <ref name="social" />


== Methods ==
== Methods ==
Algospeak uses techniques akin to those used in [[Aesopian language]] to conceal the intended meaning from automated content filters, while being understandable to human readers. One such method draws from [[leetspeak]], where letters are replaced with lookalike characters (eg. $3X for ''sex'').<ref name=Stano/>
Algospeak uses techniques akin to those used in [[Aesopian language]] to conceal the intended meaning from automated content filters, while being understandable to human readers. One such method draws from [[leetspeak]], where letters are replaced with lookalike characters (eg. $3X for ''sex'').<ref name=Stano/>

Another method is where certain words may be censored, or in the case of auditory media, cut off or bleeped, i.e. ''s*icide'' instead of ''suicide''.


== Subject matters ==
== Subject matters ==
Line 17: Line 19:
== Examples ==
== Examples ==
According to ''[[New York Times]]'':<ref name=":0" />
According to ''[[New York Times]]'':<ref name=":0" />
*''le dollar bean'' – lesbian
*''le dollar bean'' – [[lesbian]]
⚫
*''panini press'', ''panoramic'' - [[pandemic]]
*''corn'' - pornography
*''accountant'' - [[sex worker]]
⚫
*''panini press'', ''panoramic'' - pandemic
*''accountant'' - sex worker
*''unalive'' - dead; to kill
*''unalive'' - dead
*''cornucopia'' - [[homophobia]]
*''cornucopia'' - homophobia
*''leg booty'' - [[LGBTQ]]
*''leg booty'' - LGBTQ
*''nip nops'' - nipples
*''nip nops'' - nipples
*''seggs'' - sex
*''seggs'' - sex
Line 29: Line 30:
==Notes==
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{notelist}}

==See also==
* [[Glossary of the Greek military junta]]
* [[Glossary of Nazi Germany]]
* [[Inclusive language]]
* [[Language and thought]]
* ''[[LTI – Lingua Tertii Imperii]]'' ("The Language of the Third Reich")
* [[Linguistic imperialism]]
* [[Linguistic relativity]]
* [[Linguistic determinism]]
* [[Logocracy]]
* [[Philosophy of language]]
* [[Soviet phraseology]]
* [[Un-word of the year]]

'''Fiction:'''
* [[Ascian language]]
* [[Nadsat]]
* [[Newspeak]]


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 00:44, 8 August 2024

Algospeak[a] is the use of coded expressions to evade automated moderation algorithms on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. It is used to discuss topics deemed sensitive to moderation algorithms while avoiding penalties such as shadow banning. A type of internet slang,[3] Calhoun and Fawcett described it as a "linguistic self-censorship".[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][1][11]

Algospeak is different from other types of netspeak in that its primary purpose is to avoid moderation, rather than to create communal identity. However, algospeak may still be used in online communities.[3]

In 2022, Forbes reported that almost a third of American social media users reported using "emojis or alternative phrases" to subvert content moderation.[12]

Causes

[edit]

Many social media platforms use automated content moderation systems to align content with the platform's guidelines, which are often not determined by the users themselves.[4] TikTok in particular uses artificial intelligence (AI) for moderation purposes, in addition to reviewing user reports and employing human moderators. Such AIs are often called "algorithms" or "bots", despite them not following a strict algorithm. TikTok's unequal enforcement on topics such as LGBT and obesity has led a to a view of AI moderation being contradictory and "inconsistent".[3] In addition, AI may miss important context; for example, communities who aid people who struggle with self-harm or suicidal thoughts may inadvertently get caught in the automated moderation.[7] [3]

Methods

[edit]

Algospeak uses techniques akin to those used in Aesopian language to conceal the intended meaning from automated content filters, while being understandable to human readers. One such method draws from leetspeak, where letters are replaced with lookalike characters (eg. $3X for sex).[1]

Another method is where certain words may be censored, or in the case of auditory media, cut off or bleeped, i.e. s*icide instead of suicide.

Subject matters

[edit]

Tiktok users have used algospeak to discuss and provide support to those who self-harm.[13]

Examples

[edit]

According to New York Times:[6]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ also known as Voldemorting or slang replacement,[1] a blend of Algorithm and -speak.[2]

See also

[edit]

Fiction:

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Stano, Simona (2022). "Linguistic guerrilla warfare 2.0: On the "forms" of online resistance". Rivista Italiana di Filosofia del Linguaggio (2022: SFL - Language, powers, rights (eds. A. Bertollini & S. Garello)). doi:10.4396/2022SFL13. ISSN 2036-6728.
  2. ^ Kireeva, Anna (2022). "Neologisms: Sociolinguistic Approach". SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.4232119. ISSN 1556-5068.
  3. ^ a b c d Steen, Ella; Yurechko, Kathryn; Klug, Daniel (September 2023). "You Can (Not) Say What You Want: Using Algospeak to Contest and Evade Algorithmic Content Moderation on TikTok". Social Media + Society. 9 (3). doi:10.1177/20563051231194586. ISSN 2056-3051.
  4. ^ a b Kendra, Alexia; Calhoun, Fawcett (December 30, 2023). ""They Edited Out her Nip Nops": Linguistic Innovation as Textual Censorship Avoidance on TikTok". Language@Internet. 21: 1–30.
  5. ^ Lorenz, Taylor (8 April 2022). "Internet 'algospeak' is changing our language in real time, from 'nip nops' to 'le dollar bean'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b Delkic, Melina (2022-11-19). "Leg Booty? Panoramic? Seggs? How TikTok Is Changing Language". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  7. ^ a b Kreuz, Roger J. (13 April 2023). "What is 'algospeak'? Inside the newest version of linguistic subterfuge". The Conversation. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  8. ^ Tellez, Anthony. "'Mascara,' 'Unalive,' 'Corn': What Common Social Media Algospeak Words Actually Mean". Forbes. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  9. ^ "From Camping to Cheese Pizza, 'Algospeak' is Taking over Social Media". Forbes. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  10. ^ Klug, Daniel; Steen, Ella; Yurechko, Kathryn (2022). "How Algorithm Awareness Impacts Algospeak Use on TikTok". Companion Proceedings of the ACM Web Conference 2022. pp. 234–237. doi:10.1145/3543873.3587355. ISBN 9781450394192. S2CID 258377709. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  11. ^ Ifeanyi, KC (2022-10-31). "Decoding what algospeak really means for Content Creators". Fast Company.
  12. ^ Levine, Alexandra S. "From Camping To Cheese Pizza, 'Algospeak' Is Taking Over Social Media". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  13. ^ Vera, Valerie (October 2023). "Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Content Moderation on TikTok". Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology. 60 (1): 1164–1166. doi:10.1002/pra2.979. ISSN 2373-9231.
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