Deconstructing the Formative Features in the Age of the Blogosphere in Algeria: EFL Learner s’ Linguistic Practices at ‘English Language Department of Tiaret #Family Group’ Facebook.

Abstract

This study aims at analysing the way EFL learners at Ibn Khaldoun University use language when interacting on their Facebook group ‘English Language Department of Tiaret’. It sheds light on the most common formative features of the word formation process that would appear in their written posts, comments and chats on the social networking site, Facebook. Besides that, the study seeks also to assess EFL learners’ attitudes towards language use on Facebook, and their opinions towards the linguistic features associated with the process of word formation. To do this, mixed method research was employed in this study. First, it incorporated a quantitative method wherein a semi-structure questionnaire was destined to 102 EFL respondents in the Section of English at Ibn Khaldoun University of Tiaret mainly to probe into their attitudes towards using such linguistic features in their posts and comments. Second, it integrated descriptive qualitative data in which content analysis research was done via analysing 15 written posts, comments and chats update from Facebook group users at some stages in the academic year of 2020/2021. The results of content analysis showed that EFL Facebook users brought into play three major word formation processes namely clipping, acronym and blending. Besides, neologisms, emoticons and some symbols were too included to express their emotions and feelings during their interactions with others in the group. In fact, words formation processes have become purposeful linguistic practices amongst EFL Learners in Algeria, herein at Ibn Khaldoun University of Tiaret, in the age of the blogosphere. All in all, such and other formative features in other social networking sites in different contexts in Algeria can be promising areas of research.