INSTANT MESSAGING DYNAMICS: UNRAVELING THE LINGUISTIC CHANGES IN JORDAN WITH WHATSAPP
Keywords:
WhatsApp, communication, language use, Jordan, digital communication, applied linguisticsAbstract
This study explores the impact of WhatsApp on communication and language use among people in Jordan. Data was collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews conducted with educationalists and fathers from the local society. The study analyzed the nature and frequency of WhatsApp use and found that younger users were more likely to use the application, which could be due to their obsession with it. The popularity of WhatsApp was attributed to its low cost, practicality, and popularity among poor or rich Arabs. However, some users expressed concerns about its potential negative effects, such as reducing physical communication, causing human addiction, and facilitating cheating in educational tests. The study revealed that different people had varied perceptions of the application, depending on their purposes and usage. Overall, these findings suggest that while WhatsApp has benefits for communication and language use in Jordan, it also presents potential harm from its misuse. The study recommends further research and practical measures to prevent such harm.