The linguocultural characteristics of COVID-19 neologisms in American newspaper publications through a diachronic corpus

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted not only public health and global economies but also the way people communicate. One significant linguistic phenomenon observed during this period is the surge in neologisms — newly coined words and expressions that reflect novel social realities. This study explores the linguocultural characteristics of COVID-19-related neologisms in American newspaper publications by utilizing a diachronic corpus covering the years 2020 to 2023. The analysis focuses on identifying the dominant word-formation processes, such as blending, affixation, and compounding, that were prevalent in the creation of pandemic-related vocabulary. Furthermore, the research highlights how these linguistic innovations encapsulate specific cultural attitudes, including American values of individualism, technological adaptation, humor, and resilience in the face of adversity. By tracking the evolution and frequency of selected neologisms over time, this study illustrates how certain terms gained widespread usage, while others quickly faded as societal priorities shifted. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of how crises accelerate language change and demonstrate the integral relationship between linguistic creativity and cultural context. This research also suggests that studying such neologisms provides valuable insights into the emotional, social, and ideological responses of a society during times of unprecedented global disruption. Future studies might benefit from cross-cultural comparisons or focus on the longevity and integration of these neologisms into mainstream American English.