@article{ART003374658},
author={YU, PENG},
title={A Study on Semantic Evolution and Pragmatic Functions of "Cultivation-themed" Internet Buzzwords — Centering on "Evil Cultivator"},
journal={The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China},
issn={1738-0502},
year={2026},
number={81},
pages={183-204},
doi={10.16874/jslckc.2026..81.007}
TY - JOUR
AU - YU, PENG
TI - A Study on Semantic Evolution and Pragmatic Functions of "Cultivation-themed" Internet Buzzwords — Centering on "Evil Cultivator"
JO - The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China
PY - 2026
VL - null
IS - 81
PB - Korean Society of Study on Chinese Languge and Culture
SP - 183
EP - 204
SN - 1738-0502
AB - Taking the "cultivation-themed" words in internet buzzwords as the research object, this paper selects "Evil Cultivator", one of the top ten internet buzzwords of 2025, as the core case, and systematically explores the semantic evolution path and pragmatic expressive functions of such words. The research shows that the cultivation-themed words represented by "Evil Cultivator" complete semantic reconstruction by means of semantic disembedding and cognitive metaphor. They cross-domain map the conceptual connotations in immortal fantasy narratives to real-life scenarios such as daily life, study and workplace, bringing about significant changes in semantic meaning and emotional color. Specifically, "Evil Cultivator" has evolved from a derogatory image of an unorthodox, wicked and self-serving cultivator in the original context into a brand-new implication of "breaking conventions, taking alternative approaches, being efficient and practical", with its emotional color shifting from derogatory to neutral and even commendatory. At the pragmatic level, cultivation-themed words have formed a unique expressive logic within social groups, filling the expressive vacancy of daily language. They have become an important discourse carrier for people to depict life states, vent inner emotions, relieve realistic pressure, and conduct playful self-expression and gentle resistance.
KW - cultivation-themed internet buzzwords;evil cultivator;semantic evolution;pragmatic functions;cognitive metaphor
DO - 10.16874/jslckc.2026..81.007
ER -
YU, PENG. (2026). A Study on Semantic Evolution and Pragmatic Functions of "Cultivation-themed" Internet Buzzwords — Centering on "Evil Cultivator". The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China, 81, 183-204.
YU, PENG. 2026, "A Study on Semantic Evolution and Pragmatic Functions of "Cultivation-themed" Internet Buzzwords — Centering on "Evil Cultivator"", The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China, no.81, pp.183-204. Available from: doi:10.16874/jslckc.2026..81.007
YU, PENG "A Study on Semantic Evolution and Pragmatic Functions of "Cultivation-themed" Internet Buzzwords — Centering on "Evil Cultivator"" The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China 81 pp.183-204 (2026) : 183.
YU, PENG. A Study on Semantic Evolution and Pragmatic Functions of "Cultivation-themed" Internet Buzzwords — Centering on "Evil Cultivator". 2026; 81 : 183-204. Available from: doi:10.16874/jslckc.2026..81.007
YU, PENG. "A Study on Semantic Evolution and Pragmatic Functions of "Cultivation-themed" Internet Buzzwords — Centering on "Evil Cultivator"" The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China no.81(2026) : 183-204.doi: 10.16874/jslckc.2026..81.007
YU, PENG. A Study on Semantic Evolution and Pragmatic Functions of "Cultivation-themed" Internet Buzzwords — Centering on "Evil Cultivator". The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China, 81, 183-204. doi: 10.16874/jslckc.2026..81.007
YU, PENG. A Study on Semantic Evolution and Pragmatic Functions of "Cultivation-themed" Internet Buzzwords — Centering on "Evil Cultivator". The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China. 2026; 81 183-204. doi: 10.16874/jslckc.2026..81.007
YU, PENG. A Study on Semantic Evolution and Pragmatic Functions of "Cultivation-themed" Internet Buzzwords — Centering on "Evil Cultivator". 2026; 81 : 183-204. Available from: doi:10.16874/jslckc.2026..81.007
YU, PENG. "A Study on Semantic Evolution and Pragmatic Functions of "Cultivation-themed" Internet Buzzwords — Centering on "Evil Cultivator"" The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China no.81(2026) : 183-204.doi: 10.16874/jslckc.2026..81.007
