Language Memes in Chinese Blessing Texted Messages

Abstract

As a form of computer-mediated communication, texting blessing messages is prevalent in the modern Chinese society. This paper analyzes a collection of Chinese blessing texted message in light of Meme Theory. It is argued that certain patterns can be recognized for the generation of these messages, both at the linguistic and at the socio-psychological level. The language memes in Chinese blessing texted messages could be classified as genotypes and phenotypes adapted to the communicators’ sociopsychological motivations of humour, modernity, revering the traditional culture and emotions.