coinednonstandard

Coinednonstandard is a descriptor used in sociolinguistics and internet linguistics for linguistic forms that originate as deliberate coinages and deviate from standard spellings or pronunciations. These forms often arise within a particular community or subculture—such as online forums, fan communities, or regional groups—and may spread through social networks, becoming recognized as nonstandard by conventional norms while not necessarily entering formal dictionaries.

The term itself is a portmanteau of coined word and nonstandard, and it is used to study how new lexical items or orthographic variants emerge, spread, and sometimes endure. It encompasses invented spellings, neologisms, and altered pronunciations that are intentionally distinct from the mainstream language.

Diffusion patterns vary. Some coinednonstandard forms remain locally confined, while others become memes or driver forms of identity. In some cases they influence broader usage within specific domains, such as gaming, fandom, or youth culture, often aided by digital platforms, memes, and remix culture. Researchers track frequency, semantic shifts, and community practices to understand their trajectories.

Illustrative examples (not exhaustive) include playful spellings like lolz as a plural of lol, u in place of you, or gurl for girl; and regionally influenced forms that subvert standard orthography. The study of coinednonstandard intersects with nonce words, slang, orthography variation, and language change, offering insight into how language evolves in contemporary communication.