New Rules of Language for the Digitally Baffled: Summary of Gretchen McCulloch’s ‘Because Internet’

In Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language (2019,) Canadian linguist Gretchen McCulloch explores the ever-evolving dynamics of language in the digital age. She explains numerous quirky details about how people type in text messages—those oddities you’ve probably noticed but never really understood.

The shift toward brevity and the informal nature of online communication have reshaped the way we interact, often giving the impression of a decline in linguistic standards—much to the frustration of prescriptivists who cling to traditional language rules.

Internet writing is a distinct genre with its own goals, and to accomplish those goals successfully requires a subtly tuned awareness of the full spectrum of the language. … Language is a thing that lives in the minds of individual humans at individual points in time, a thing that can’t be fully encompassed in a static list of uses like a game of chess.

McCulloch presents an engaging analysis of how new words, phrases, and slang continue to emerge and spread globally at an unprecedented rate, driven largely by social media. Rather than lamenting the habits of “kids these days,” she embraces the evolution of modern language, encouraging a fresh appreciation for the quirky, unpredictable, and often amusing ways we now communicate online.

Throughout the book, McCulloch uncovers the curious nuances of texting—subtle details you’ve likely noticed but never fully understood. As an exercise in descriptivism, the book provides keen insights into the fluid nature of language in the digital age: why sparkly tildes became shorthand for sarcasm, how emojis are replacing words, and the linguistic significance of internet dialects like doge, lolspeak, and snek. You’ll also learn why your teenager replies “LOL” when nothing funny was said.

Now more than ever in history, communication extends beyond mere words; it’s about how we connect. It’s a game of linguistic dodgeball, filled with fast, cryptic slang, witty retorts that often mean the opposite of what they say, and so much brevity that half the message gets lost. You’re never quite sure if someone’s complimenting you or subtly roasting you!

Read Because Internet if you’re a writer, reader, social media user, or just someone who enjoys a good language deep dive. This sharp and witty blend of humor and analysis will have you second-guessing every text, status update, and tweet you’ve ever sent—often revealing more about yourself than you realized! It’s the perfect guide for anyone eager to stay “in the know” and navigate the ever-shifting, often bewildering language of social media culture.