THE EMERGING POWER OF YOUTUBE AS A SOURCE FOR THE SOCIOLINGUISTIC RESEARCH

Abstract

Sociolinguistics being largely an empirical-based branch of linguistics is in constant search of reliable and easily available sources of empiric material. In its turn, YouTube has become one of the most influential platforms which allow sharing not only video materials (with oral speech patterns) but also opens possibilities for an informal instant was written communication. The present paper explores potential applications of YouTube as a source of empiric material in a sociolinguistic research offering possible directions for further linguistic studies