Abstract The earliest studies of cyber language life abroad can be traced back to the investigation of network terminologies by computer experts and Internet technicians in the 1970s. Since then, three research streams have emerged in cyber language studies, including network linguistics focusing on the ontological features of cyber language, computer-mediated communication, and language policy analysis. Mobile Internet has made cyberspace more independent and tangible, bringing forth numerous new research topics. A review of the relevant literature shows that the main research themes include at least the following: online language education, language ontology related to cyberlinguistics development, language problems arising from Internet communication, and the interface between language policy and language life. The studies of language life in cyberspace abroad are characterized by diversified research dimensions, internationalized research visions, and the increasing application of language policy theories. The shortcomings of this area of research include insufficient attention to the cyber language problems in the developing countries, and lack of theoretical underpinnings from the view of language life. It is suggested that the Chinese scholarship strengthen communication with international peer researchers, seek more opportunities for international publication of cyber language life research, and promote the international spread of Chinese language life research findings.
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