Internet Linguistics, Its Avenues and Its Impact on Language and Language Learners

Research Journal of English Language and Literature (RJELAL) A Peer Reviewed (Refereed) International Journal Vol.6.Issue 1. 2018 Impact Factor 6.8992 (ICI) http://www.rjelal.com; (Jan-Mar) Email:[email protected] ISSN:2395-2636 (P); 2321-3108(O)

RESEARCH ARTICLE

INTERNET LINGUISTICS, ITS AVENUES AND ITS IMPACT ON LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGE LEARNERS

SHRAMITA MUDGAL Research scholar, Department of English, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur e-mail- [email protected] ABSTRACT Internet is the growing field and is influencing the arena of every genre. As English is the global language so how could it be left untouched ? Today’s youngsters spend most of their time with mobile phones, computer , internet. So internet is effecting their life and contributing towards education. Its impact is on the language and language learners. This paper previews the scope of internet linguistics in terms of impact on language and language learners. Key words- internet, internet linguists, language, language learners, text messaging,

SHRAMITA MUDGAL instant messaging.

Internet linguistics Impact on language Internet linguistics is a sub-domain of o The major effect of new resources of teaching is linguistics advocated by the famous linguist David on language which leads many a type of issues crystal. It studies the forms, the patterns, the new like language change, language revitalization language styles which have arisen due to the and some call it language decay depends on the influence of internet and the other new ever arising type of perception one carries. The major area media resources which include text messing (SMS), of concern is the language change which instant messaging (IM) etc. encompasses all the other related features of it. Internet is a source which provides o How much the language change has taken place platform to the different users. It facilitates since the arrival of the internet? The language opportunities. As English is the major phenomenon is so recent that few people language used on internet so it helps not only to would be able to acknowledge its presence in preserve language documentation but also allows their lives before the mid- 1990s- that we might global dissemination through internet. It also expect very little to have happened. Changes in revitalizes the language by introducing and coining language typically take decades, or even life many new terms and symbols. It also tries to times, before they are established. But history is minimise the digital divide. no guide, when it comes to electronic Various avenues of internet linguistics- technology. In olden times(i.e. before the Internet linguistics with the different vicinity which internet), it would be several years before a encompasses the major areas of concern includes new word would achieve the sufficiently high the following domains- community profile to appear in print, be picked o Text messaging up by lexicographers, and come to be recorded o instant messaging in the dictionaries. Today, a new word can o e-mails achieve a global profile within hours. It seems o Blogs likely that the internet will speed up the process of language change.

209 SHRAMITA MUDGAL

o But so far as the effect of internet on the working with e-learning. If the learner needs to character of the individual languages has been do the learning at night, then this option is very limited. If we take a cursory look at an available. Learners can sit in their home in their instance of internet language, such as an e-mail, pajamas and do the learning if they desire. web page, a blog, or a tweet, the initial o E-learning encourages students to peruse impression is that little has changed. We will through information by using hyperlinks and notice the occasional novel usage, but on the sites on the worldwide Web. Students are able whole the individual words, the grammatical to find information relevant to their personal constructions, and the orthographic pattern situations and interest. E-learning allows seems to be little different from what we students to select learning materials that meet observe in language used outside the electronic their level of knowledge, interest and what they medium. But the little difference is not the need to know to perform more effectively in an same as ‘no difference’. An important initial activity. E-learning is more focused on the task of the internet linguistics is therefore to learner and it is more interesting for the learner provide a description of the way vocabulary, because it is information that they want to grammar, graphology and pragmatics are being learn. E-learning is flexible and can be used in novel ways within the various outputs. customized to meet the individual needs of the Impact on language learners learners. o E-learning is beneficial to education, o E-learning helps students develop knowledge of corporations and to all types of learners. It is the Internet. This knowledge will help learners affordable, saves time, and produces throughout their careers. E-learning encourages measurable results. E-learning is more cost students to take personal responsibility for their effective than traditional learning because less own learning. When learners succeed, it builds time and money is spent traveling. Since e- self-knowledge and self-confidence in them. learning can be done in any geographic location o Educators and corporations really benefit from and there are no travel expenses, this type of e-learning. Learners enjoy having the learning is much less costly than doing learning opportunity to learn at their own pace, on their at a traditional institute. own time, and have it less costly. o Flexibility is a major benefit of e-learning. E- How reading and writing skills can be improved learning has the advantage of taking class using new resources of teaching- anytime anywhere. Education is available when o Social media websites have revolutionized how and where it is needed. E-learning can be done we interact in the 21st century. In turn, they at the office, at home, on the road, 24 hours a have also given rise to a more lax approach to day, and seven days a week. . E-learning also spelling and grammar. ‘Text-speak’ can now be has measurable assessments which can be found across the internet – and it threatens to created so the both the instructors and students affect how pupils perform in English too. will know what the students have learned, o However, many schools are discovering that when they've completed courses, and how they blogging can be used to develop children’s have performed. English skills. Writing a blog about something o Students like e-learning because it meaningful, and that they’re interested in, will accommodates different types of learning inspire them to write more, and write better. styles. Students have the advantage of learning o But there are other benefits too. So, with at their own pace. Students can also learn blogging a key feature of Learner Journey, through a variety of activities that apply to we’ve listed five reasons why you should get many different learning styles learners have. your class blogging. It Will Make Them Better Learners can fit e-learning into their busy Writers schedule. If they hold a job, they can still be

210 SHRAMITA MUDGAL

o This is the most obvious benefit of blogging. allow them to express themselves – much like a Setting a subject your pupils can get passionate diary allows people to get out their feelings, about, or already have an interest in, will thoughts and interests. Writing in this way then encourage them to actively put more effort into helps pupils understand each other better – and their writing. Not only that, but reading blogs by develop their social skills as they grow. their classmates will give them experience in Encouraging reflection and thought is great for understanding topics that have been written learning how they can develop or improve about by others. Having their blogs seen by certain aspects of their learning in the future. peers – and you can even set a rating system, Although there are many positive signs of change in where pupils rate each other’s posts – will language and on language learners but there are encourage them to be more competitive – and certain negative approaches also which must be subsequently work harder to create a better controlled in a specific manner so as to get the piece of work. desired output from the new resources of teaching. o They Can Get Immediate Feedback On Their The major responsibility lies on the mentors who Work pave the way for the students who themselves toil o Learner Journey is accessible anytime, out their target. So the mentors should streamline anywhere – so pupils could get instant feedback the students in the appropriate direction then only on their work. This is great, because it not only the future of the country is secured. relieves you of the pressure of checking and Bibliography- marking dozens of blog posts, but allows the Crystal, D. Internet Linguistics: A Student Guide. New pupils to be more proactive and independent in York: Routledge2011. their work. Constructive criticism from their Gee, J. P. Language and learning in the digital age. peers will allow them to improve their work, New York: Routledge, 2011. learn more about writing – and also learn to Kent, N. and Facer, K. Different worlds? A take on board opinions from others. They Can comparison of young people’s home and Learn More About Others school ICT use. Journal of Computer o Reading someone’s blog can tell you a great Assisted Learning, vol. 20, 2004, pp.440- deal about that person. Sharing ideas and 455. insights allows pupils to get to know each other Warschauer, M., Shetzer, H. & Meloni, C. Internet in class as much as in the playground or outside for English teaching. Alexandria, VA: TESOL of school. This helps with social skills, and also Publications, 2000. understanding how other people think, feel and Wenger, E., White, N., Smith, J. D., & Rowe, K. behave. Technology for communities. In Cefrio (Ed.), o They Can Become An Expert In A Topic Communities of practice in 21st-century o Setting your class a specific topic to write a blog organizations, 2005. post about means they’ll have to learn about Werry, C. C. Linguistic and interactional features of that topic, researching and reading about it Internet Relay Chat. In S. C. first. However, getting them to read blog posts Herring (Ed.), Computer-mediated communication: by others on the same topic, and encouraging Linguistic, social, and crosscultural them to comment on each other’s work at the perspectives. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, same time, will allow them to become experts 1996, pp. 47-63. in that subject. Wheeler, S. The New Smart Devices for Learning. o They Express Themselves Proceedings from Learning Technologies o From young childhood to their early teenage 2010 Conference, London. Web Dec. 28, years, children will express themselves in lots of 2010. http://stevewheeler. different ways – and they should be encouraged blogspot.com/2010/01/new-smart-devices.html to do this from an early age. Writing a blog will

211 SHRAMITA MUDGAL