DIALECTAL VARIATIONS IN INSTAGRAM COMMENT SECTIONS: A STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF MALE AND FEMALE LANGUAGE CHOICES

Abstract

This study aims to explore the gendered variation in Instagram comment section discourse related to beauty standards. The present study uses qualitative discourse-stylistic approach to explore lexical choices, emotional language and interactional styles in comments shown under beauty-related Instagram posts. The current research collects information from user’s comments on makeup looks, creative appearances, and skincare performance on publicly available accounts. By exploring those comments, the study goals to find linguistic patterns in how language is used to show assessment, encouragement, and appreciation. The research bases its analysis on the Gender Performativity framework to study the stylistic features like intensifiers, emotional expressions and discourse markers. This theoretical viewpoint allows the study to find out how gender identities are created and promoted through online interactions. The results show that female commenters frequently use supportive, emotional, and specific language which is clearly visible by their use of emojis, and intensifiers. Male reviewers are more likely to use less emotional language that is appearance-focused and evaluating on the other hand. The Instagram comment sections look like to be extremely performative and micro-space where gendered personalities and beauty standards are endlessly shared through regular interaction. Overall, the research shows that gendered speech patterns in beauty discourse are considered by cultural expectations and platform standards. By giving importance to people, how they are influenced by digital platforms to achieve gender through language, it also contributes in online topics in sociolinguistics and discourse studies.