Full Project – NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA LANGUAGE ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY.

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

The advent of social media has significantly influenced the way people communicate, particularly among undergraduates. The use of social media language, characterized by abbreviations, acronyms, and emoticons, has been identified as a potential threat to the standard use of the English language (Thurlow, 2006). This informal language style, often devoid of grammatical rules, is becoming increasingly prevalent in academic settings, causing concern among educators and linguists.

A study by Wood, Kemp, and Waldron (2014) found that the frequent use of social media language by undergraduates negatively impacts their English language proficiency. The study revealed that students who frequently used social media language were more likely to make grammatical and spelling errors in their academic work. This suggests that the casual language style adopted on social media platforms may be infiltrating more formal writing contexts, potentially undermining the quality of academic writing.

Similarly, Varnhagen et al. (2009) found that the use of textisms, a form of social media language, is associated with poor literacy skills. The study found that students who used more textisms had lower scores on measures of reading and writing. This supports the notion that the use of social media language may be contributing to a decline in English language proficiency among undergraduates.

However, not all research supports this view. A study by Plester, Wood, and Joshi (2009) found no evidence to suggest that the use of textisms negatively impacts spelling or reading ability. This suggests that the relationship between social media language and English language proficiency may be more complex than initially thought, and further research is needed to fully understand this relationship.

Despite the mixed findings, the potential negative impact of social media language on English language use among undergraduates cannot be ignored. Educators and policy makers need to be aware of this potential threat and consider strategies to mitigate its impact. This could include incorporating lessons on the appropriate use of language in different contexts into the curriculum, or providing additional support to students who struggle with formal writing.

Furthermore, while the impact of social media language on English language use among undergraduates is still a topic of debate, there is enough evidence to suggest that it could be a potential problem. As social media continues to grow in popularity, it is crucial that we continue to investigate this issue and develop strategies to ensure that the use of social media language does not undermine the English language proficiency of our students.

Statement of the Problem

The advent of social media has brought about a significant shift in the way language is used, particularly among undergraduates in Nigeria. This shift has been characterized by the use of abbreviations, slangs, and emoticons, which are often not in line with standard English language rules (Oyedotun, 2020). This trend has raised concerns about the negative impact of social media language on the proper use of the English language among these undergraduates.

A study by Oyedotun (2020) revealed that the use of social media language has led to a decline in the proficiency of English language use among undergraduates in Nigeria. The study found that many undergraduates often find it difficult to differentiate between social media language and standard English, leading to the inappropriate use of language in formal settings. This has implications for their academic performance and future career prospects.

Furthermore, the pervasive use of social media language is eroding the richness and depth of the English language among undergraduates in Nigeria (Akindele, 2019). The use of abbreviations and slangs on social media platforms is gradually replacing the use of full sentences and proper grammar. This is leading to a decline in the ability of these undergraduates to express themselves effectively in English.

In addition, the use of social media language is also affecting the reading and writing skills of undergraduates in Nigeria (Akindele, 2019). The constant exposure to incorrect grammar and spelling on social media platforms is negatively influencing their reading and writing skills. This is evident in the increasing number of undergraduates who struggle with reading comprehension and academic writing.

Despite the numerous benefits of social media, its negative impact on the English language use among undergraduates in Nigeria cannot be overlooked (Oyedotun, 2020). The use of social media language is not only affecting their academic performance but also their ability to communicate effectively in the workplace. This is a problem that needs to be addressed urgently to ensure that the future generation is not disadvantaged.

The negative impact of social media language on English language use among undergraduates in Nigeria is a significant problem that needs to be addressed. There is a need for more research to understand the extent of this problem and to develop effective strategies to mitigate its impact. This will ensure that the use of social media does not compromise the ability of undergraduates in Nigeria to use the English language effectively (Akindele, 2019; Oyedotun, 2020).

Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to examine the negative impact of social media language on English language use among undergraduates of Imo State University. The specific objectives of the are:

To investigate the extent to which social media language influences the English language proficiency of undergraduates.

To examine the ways in which the use of social media language affects the written and spoken English of undergraduates.

iii. To assess the perception of Nigerian undergraduates towards the impact of social media language on their English language use.

To identify the common social media language patterns that are negatively impacting the English language use among undergraduates.

Research Questions

The research questions are buttressed below:

How does the use of social media language influence the English language proficiency of undergraduates?
In what ways does the use of social media language affect the written and spoken English of undergraduates?

What are the perceptions of Nigerian undergraduates towards the impact of social media language on their English language use?

What are the common social media language patterns that are negatively impacting the English language use among undergraduates?

Research Hypothesis

The hypothetical statement of the study are buttressed below:

Ho: Social media language will not influence the English language proficiency of undergraduates’ students in Nigeria

H₁: Social media language will influence the English language proficiency of undergraduates’ students in Nigeria

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study of the negative impact of social media language on English language use among undergraduates is of great significance as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the changing dynamics of language use in the digital age. The influence of social media language on formal English language use is a growing concern, especially in academic settings where language proficiency is crucial for academic success.

This study is significant as it contributes to the body of knowledge in the field of linguistics and communication studies. It provides empirical evidence on the extent to which social media language affects the English language proficiency of undergraduates, a topic that has been under-researched.

The findings of this study could be beneficial to educators and policy makers in higher education. By understanding the impact of social media language on students’ English language use, they can develop effective strategies and interventions to improve language proficiency among undergraduates (Blommaert, 2012).

This study is also significant for students themselves. By being aware of the potential negative impact of social media language on their English language use, they can make more informed decisions about their language use on social media platforms.

Furthermore, this study could have implications for the design of English language curricula in higher education. The findings could inform the integration of digital literacy skills in language teaching, helping students navigate the complexities of language use in the digital age.

Lastly, this study could contribute to the broader discourse on the impact of digital technologies on language and communication. It could provide insights into the sociolinguistic changes brought about by the widespread use of social media, a topic of interest to researchers in various fields.

1.7. Scope of the Study

The study examines the negative impact of social media language on English language use among undergraduates of Imo State University. The study is restricted to the institution under study.

1.8. Operational Definition of Terms

Impact: This term generally refers to the effect or influence that an event, situation, or person has on someone or something. It can be positive or negative, and it can be measured in various ways depending on the context.

Social Media: These are digital platforms that allow users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. Some popular examples include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. They have significantly changed the way people communicate and interact.

Language: This is a system of communication used by a particular community or country. It can be spoken, written, or signed. It consists of words used in a structured and conventional way, combined in such a way as to convey meaning.

English Language: This is a West Germanic language that was first spoken in early medieval England and is now a global lingua franca. It is the third most native spoken language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. It is widely taught in schools and used internationally for many diplomatic and business interactions.

Use: This term refers to the act of using something or the state of being used for some purpose. It can also refer to the ability or power to use something.

Undergraduates: These are students who are studying at a college or university and have not yet earned a bachelor’s or equivalent degree. They are typically working towards their first degree in higher education.

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Full Project – NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA LANGUAGE ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY.

Full Project – NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA LANGUAGE ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY.

Full Project – NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA LANGUAGE ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE USE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY.

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