{"id":9853,"date":"2026-01-28T09:36:51","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T01:36:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ias.ubd.edu.bn\/?p=9853"},"modified":"2026-01-28T09:38:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T01:38:14","slug":"working-paper-on-bruneis-digital-voices-uncovering-algospeak-and-how-tiktok-consumers-drive-language-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ias.ubd.edu.bn\/?p=9853","title":{"rendered":"Working Paper on Brunei\u2019s Digital Voices: Uncovering Algospeak and How TikTok Consumers Drive Language Change"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The Institute of Asian Studies at Universiti Brunei Darussalam is pleased to announce the publication of IAS Working Paper No. 90: Brunei\u2019s Digital Voices: Uncovering Algospeak and how TikTok consumers drive language change<\/strong><\/em> by Nur Hayati binti Mohd Yusof .\u00a0<\/p>

Please see below for details.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload the Working Paper<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Abstract:<\/strong><\/p>

This paper investigates the role of TikTok content consumers in Brunei in shaping digital language through the emergence of Algospeak – a coded linguistic practice developed to evade algorithmic censorship. While prior research has focused predominantly on content creators and Western contexts, the following study addresses a critical gap by examining how Southeast Asian users, specifically Bruneians, adopt and innovate with Algospeak. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines online surveys and meta-analysis, the paper explores users\u2019 motivations and the broader communicative implications of Algospeak both online and offline. Findings reveal that Brunei TikTok users employ Algospeak not only to bypass content moderation but also for emotional buffering, express political stances, and foster community through creative expression. The paper further identifies how Algospeak diverges from earlier digital languages like Netspeak and Leetspeak and challenges traditional language change theories by introducing a dynamic, user-algorithm interaction. It underscores the need for updated theoretical frameworks to account for the algorithmic forces now shaping linguistic evolution in digital spaces.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Author:<\/strong><\/p>

Nur Hayati binti Mohd Yusof <\/strong>graduated BA (Hons) in English Studies with Business Administration Minor from Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Her research interests lie in sociolinguistics and language change, with particular attention to youth language and digital communication. She has professional teaching experience in English and Science, currently she is involved in speech and communication focused education for young learners. Nur Hayati received the the 2025 Victor T. King Prize for her final year project supervised by Dk Dr.\u00a0Nur Raihan binti Pg Mohamad.<\/p>

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Contact: yatiyusof.29@gmail.com<\/a> <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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To see more IAS Working Papers, please visit the IAS Working Papers web page<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Institute of Asian Studies at Universiti Brunei Darussalam is pleased to announce the publication of IAS Working Paper No. 90: Brunei\u2019s Digital Voices: Uncovering Algospeak and how TikTok consumers drive language change by Nur Hayati binti Mohd Yusof .\u00a0 Please see below for details. Download the Working Paper Abstract: This paper investigates the role 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