JoLIE 9:3/2016

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IMPACT OF SOCIAL NETWORKS AND TECHNOLOGY ON

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

Azamat Akbarov

Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Ana Tankosić

International Burch University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of social media on the English language. Technology is a medium of communication, it affects the language we use, and the context it enables. Today its primary use is for sharing information and managing interpersonal interaction. Formulaic expressions and variety of language we use in social media (Twitter and Facebook), have affected the standardized language, so some of the vernacular vocabulary used today is slowly entering dictionaries. A written word, which is thought to be greatly affected, consequently started affecting the spoken word – verbal text speak. Internet slang is language used in social media and it encompasses different abbreviations, language changes, and paralanguage. This study examines the origins of Internet slang, its development, and reasons for its use. It also tries to tell whether the existence of Internet slang enriches, or impoverishes the language. Moreover, it touches upon the notion of proper grammar in social media communication with regard to social media’s facilitating or hindering proper writing.

Keywords: Social media; Technology and communication; Internet slang.

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How to cite this article: Akbarov, A. & Tankosić, A. (2016). Impact of social networks and technology on the English language learners. Journal of Linguistic and Intercultural Education – JoLIE, 9(3), 7-28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29302/jolie.2016.9.3.1

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