LINGUIST List 21.2489 Sun Jun 06 2010 Diss: Socioling: Greiffenstern: 'The Influence of Computers, the ...' Editor for this issue: Mfon Udoinyang <mfonlinguistlist.org> To post to LINGUIST, use our convenient web form at http://linguistlist.org/LL/posttolinguist.cfm. Directory         1.    Sandra Greiffenstern, The Influence of Computers, the Internet and Computer-Mediated Communication on Everyday English Message 1: The Influence of Computers, the Internet and Computer-Mediated Communication on Everyday English Date: 06-Jun-2010 From: Sandra Greiffenstern <sandra.greiffensterngmail.com> Subject: The Influence of Computers, the Internet and Computer-Mediated Communication on Everyday English E-mail this message to a friend Institution: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Program: Department of English and American Studies Dissertation Status: Completed Degree Date: 2010 Author: Sandra Greiffenstern Dissertation Title: The Influence of Computers, the Internet and Computer-Mediated Communication on Everyday English Linguistic Field(s): Sociolinguistics Subject Language(s): English (eng) Dissertation Director: Peter Lucko Dissertation Abstract: The dissertation focuses on the use of English in connection with computers and the Internet and on its influences on everyday English. We adapt our language to new technology, in this case computers and the Internet, and we need new words to describe new technology and the possibilities it offers. Moreover, metaphors change and the meaning of some words has shifted from its original meaning to a meaning related to new technologies. In order to assess this influence, two British magazines were analysed for one year, two recent TV shows were tested for features of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) in spoken language, and an extensive analysis of 'The Bank of English', a large corpus, was conducted. The collected data is evaluated and shows the scope of influence from CMC, computers and the Internet. The introduction and hypotheses are followed by some background information about the development and spread of computers and the Internet and about the role that English plays in the use of the Internet. Next, previous studies dealing with computer-mediated communication are presented. This includes Marshall McLuhan's notion of a global village, linguistic studies about CMC, for example, by Naomi Baron, David Crystal and other linguists, and more general studies which deal with new ways of communication via computers and the Internet. The third chapter shows the features of CMC before dealing with different theories to explain CMC. The comparison of the different theories shows how difficult it is to classify CMC. Is it a new register, just a new style, or are there even parallels to the development of pidgins and creoles? In the fourth chapter, the discussion about CMC and its influence on everyday language is presented, showing the different arguments and predictions about the development and influence of CMC. While some fear a deterioration of language, others claim that CMC enriches the linguistic repertoire and facilitates more creativity. In the fifth chapter, the question of how far existing linguistic theories can be applied to the study of CMC and its influence is considered. It shows where the framework of theories is sufficient to explain CMC, its influence and the rise of technology-related language and where new theories are needed or existing theories need to be adapted to explain CMC, for example, theories about language change and networks. In the sixth chapter, the methodology of the analysis is explained including the data sampling and the data examination. The seventh chapter deals with neologisms, new phrases and the shift of meanings in connection with computers, the Internet and technology in general. Moreover, it presents metaphors in relation with computers and the Internet and analyses them. In the eighth chapter, the influence of CMC, computers, and the Internet on everyday language is analysed based on data collected from magazines, book, TV shows and 'The Bank of English'. In chapters nine and ten, the results of the study are evaluated and the hypotheses motivating the study are reconsidered. Read more issues|LINGUIST home page|Top of issue Page Updated: 06-Jun-2010       About LINGUIST    |   Contact Us       While the LINGUIST List makes every effort to ensure the linguistic relevance of sites listed on its pages, it cannot vouch for their contents.