INFLUENCE OF TEXTING LANGUAGE ON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ACADEMIC WRITING IN ENGLISH AT EGERTON UNIVERSITY, KENYA

Mercy Chepkemoi, Mwangi Ndirangu, Lucy Wathika

Abstract


Technology is the hallmark of today?s world. It has bequeathed us with computers, mobile phones and related gadgetry. The proliferation of these gadgets in the society has influenced the modes of communication and the use of language. The gadgets have restrictions that force users to flout grammatical and other language rules which are likely to pose a danger to correct English language usage among University students. This study sought to examine lecturers? and students? perceptions on the influence of texting language on students? academic writing in English at Egerton University. The study was guided by Sociolinguistic theory by Coupland. The study used descriptive survey research design. The target population was Egerton University 2018 third year students comprising of 140 students and 55 lecturers from the Faculty of Education and Community Studies (FEDCOS) and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). Simple random sampling and purposive sampling were respectively used in selecting the students and lecturers from the departments of Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Management (CIEM) and Literature Language and Linguistics (LLL). A set of questionnaires, one for the lecturers and the other for the students, and an observation checklist were used as research instruments. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20. The results were then presented in the form of Tables. The study found that the use of texting has eased communication in that students are able to keep in touch with a few keyboard presses. The acceptance by both students and lecturers that texting language affects academic writing is a reflection of the technological revolution that has bequeathed us with a new language variety that is definitely here to stay. In addition, language change is inevitable for any living language as has been driven over the years by factors such as technological revolution. Lexicographers should standardize them just like other Acronyms and jargons that have been coined and introduced in the dictionaries over the years. Words like LOL, ASAP have already found their way in the Oxford dictionary which is a clear indication of the future of English language as it evolves.?

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References


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