Internet, cell phones, and applications have affected our language. People communicate with each other through electronic mail, instant messaging, and texts. They might "chat" in indifferent virtual rooms, comment on news websites, and write in blogs and wikis. These practices construct new forms of discourse and identity. Due to its wide use, English is considered the most common Internet language with many new expressions and abbreviations. Such expressions build up a new variety of English that is very common among Internet users, chatters, gamers, and teenagers. It is considered an informal written language, much like slang, which is an informal spoken variety of the language. I use the term “texting language” (TL) to mean all these kinds of messages, expressions, and abbreviations. TL is a new variety of language that has developed a unique style that requires new terminology, which separates it from daily language. Some people consider such a language variety as an informal language, which influences standard language and academic writing. The goals are to explore the causes of TL and its effects on learners’ language, literacy skills, their understanding of English grammar, and their use of standard written forms. Some questions exist about language change, linguistic diffusion, and linguistic perspective. Such a change might lead to the development of a new form of technological discourse.

Authors:
Ahmed Al Shlowiy, English Language and Preparatory Year Institute, Saudi Arabia

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Ahmed Al Shlowiy is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Jubail Industrial College in Saudi Arabia

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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