#Languagemixing on Twitter

Abstract

The influence of the English language on the world stage is such that it now constitutes a kind of global Lingua Franca. As such, English has supplanted French as the language of diplomacy, of culture, and of social prestige. This role reversal entails some residual opposition in France, and in consequence, the use of English expressions and vocabulary by French continues to be a controversial subject in France, as it has been for decades. Regulations are still being implemented to control the French language. Nowadays, social media has been an important tool in our society. Twitter has become a popular means of communication used in a variety of fields, such as politics, journalism, and academia. This widely used online platform has an impact on the way people express themselves and is changing language usage worldwide at an unprecedented pace. The language used online reflects the linguistic battle that has been going on for several decades in French society today. In my dissertation, I investigate the factors prompting the use of English and French language mixing on Twitter in France. The use of acronyms, hashtags as well as another language may be used as strategies to reach a wider audience. The need for visibility and audience maximization seem to be important factors for linguistic choice on Twitter. This study enables a deeper understanding of users’ linguistic behavior online. The implications are important and allow for a rise in awareness of intercultural and cross-language exchanges.