Diffusion des innovations lexicales sur Twitter : description et prédiction de l'influence de la position des locuteurs dans le réseau

Résumé En

The study examines the diffusion of lexical innovations (new words) on Twitter between 2012 and 2019, seeking to determine whether the position of users within the social network influences the success or failure of the spread of these innovations.We identify lexical innovations that emerged during 2012-2014 and categorize them into "changes" that become widely adopted versus "buzz" words that fade out after a spike in usage.By comparing the network characteristics of users employing these innovations at each diffusion phase (innovation, propagation, stabilization/decline), the results show that:- The initial users (innovators) have a similar profile regardless of whether the innovation succeeds.-However, during the propagation phase, successful "changes" reach more central, prestigious users, unlike "buzz" words. - An innovation's fate can be predicted as early as the propagation phase based on the network profiles of its users.In conclusion, the position of speakers within the Twitter social network impacts the success of lexical innovation diffusion. Central, influential users are necessary for an innovation to take hold.