Netspeak and a Breach of Formality: Informalization and Fossilization of Errors in Writing among ESL and EFL Learners

Abstract

Netspeak refers to the language used in any online communication environment such as chat rooms, Facebook, or Twitter. By drawing on John Dewey's concept of habit formation, Baron believes that after years of constant use of Netspeak, language learners will naturally employ the features of this language into their formal writing practice [1]. This would happen when language violations such as spelling mistakes and the misuse of punctuations or capitalization have become acceptable and fossilized in learners' formal writing activities. This study will present findings of a research, primarily aimed at investigating the fossilization of errors in writing among ESL (Malaysians) and EFL (Jordanians) learners due to the aforementioned phenomenon. Two research methods were employed: a questionnaire that was designed based on Selinker's theory of interlanguage and the factors contributing to the use of lexical features of Netspeak, and semi-structured interviews. Questionnaires were administered to 300 participants; 150 Asian students from one public university in Malaysia (representing the ESL learners) and 150 Middle East students from the Irbid National University, Jordan (representing the EFL learners). This study managed to provide some valuable insights on the issues, by demonstrating some new perceptions and ideologies pertaining to the ignorance of language consistency in formal writing practice, resulting from a constant use of Netspeak in the online communication environment.