Language Contact-Induced Change in Computer Mediated Communication in Algeria: Synchronous Communications via Messenger Versus Asynchronous Interactions Through Emails Amongst EFL Students at Ibn Khaldoun University of Tiaret

Abstract

This study attempted to investigate contact–induced language change in computer–mediated communication, specifically between synchronous and asynchronous means of interaction that were respectively represented by Messenger and email. The main purpose of this study was to explore the different existing diachronic changes in Messenger and email. The results demonstrated significant changes for the synchronous counterpart Messenger; by contrast, the marginal percentages for email suggested rather no changes and exceptions only. The overall presence of contact–induced language change in Messenger and the lack thereof in email shows that language in synchronous media of interaction may continue to change while asynchronous ones could remain frozen as the two differ inherently in target audience and purposes.