摘要

网络由于其虚拟性和趣味性赢得了无数人的青睐，同时网络也给人们成功交际带来了一些问题，究其原因就在于人们对于网络英语用语缺乏足够的了解。英语缩略语作为网络英语用语的重要组成部分，对于成功交际有着非常重要的影响。英语缩略语是时代发展的产物，具有简洁幽默的特征，迎合了人们的生活需求。本文主要从缩略语的发展历史、结构特征、类型和语用功能等方面进行探讨。

关键词：英语缩略语；网络聊天室；简化；构词特点

Abstract
Thanks to its virtualization and playfulness, the network wins favor of countless people. However, it also brings people some problems in international communication, which are caused by people’s lack of knowledge of network English. As an important part of network English, abbreviations play an irreplaceable role in network communication. English abbreviations are products of the age. They are easier to understand, simpler and more casual, which cater to the needs of people's modern lives. This paper is mainly to discuss the English abbreviations from the aspects of development history, word formation and pragmatic functions.

Key words: English abbreviations; online chat rooms; simplification; word formation features

1.    Introduction

1.1     The background information

The Internet, invented in the 1960s, was originally used in the U.S. military and government agencies. Before the 1990s, most of the Internet was used for academic research (Xiao Yue, 2010). As the Internet gradually integrates into the society, the world witnesses the rapid development of the Internet, which brings the world huge and far-reaching influence. The network language is the communication symbol people use on the Internet to exchange and process information. It is accompanied by the arrival of network age; it is the product of the times. In fact, the network language, especially the network English becomes more and more important in people's network life and communication. Its function in the process of information transfer cannot be underestimated. English abbreviation is one of the features of network English.
The emergence of online virtual community and chat rooms provides modern people with a communication pattern beyond the social role, and also provides people who are under pressure and in fast-paced life with a communication pattern without any restraint (Cheng Feng, 2003). The network virtual space satisfies people's desire to communicate, and also provides convenience for people to change the common way of communication.