SOCIAL NETWORK RELATION AND LANGUAGE USE IN A MULTILINGUAL SOCIETY

Abstract

Technology is clearly having an impact on language and the words we use to relate to one another hence, encouraging the new generation of speakers of this language to adopt new word ideas in the growth and evolution of the English language. With social networks skyrocketing in popularity, individuals or group of individuals, marketers devise strategies of engagement, using social networks for their own purpose. In carrying this study, the researcher explained the different concepts that made up the issue, (language, language use and social network relations), looked at the works of the linguists, conducted interviews, use questionnaire and made personal observations among students of institutions of higher learning and some groups of individuals who are mostly youth. The three institutions of higher learning were used for the investigation. The research therefore established that language as a medium of mobilization and concretization has in recent times faced with a lot of infusions thus, impede the generation of the old
speakers to flow with the younger generation. This investigation has also established that, students are now bilinguals or multilinguals in their linguistic dispositions as this permits them to effectively communicate with their friends within and across the region with whom they share common linguistic
and social affiliations as a result therefore, this study is recommending that the language of the social network be embraced so as to promote personality development and positive physico-moral, socio-economic and phycho-spiritual - disposition of an individual who uses the language. It equally helps the younger generation speakers of English language to explore their creativity as well as be dynamic in the language they use.