The Impact Of Text Messaging On The Acquisition Of Standard English Writing In Tanzania: A Study Of Higher Learning Institutions In Dodoma Municipality

ABSTRACT

Text message also referred to as “text messaging” or “texting” have become the preferred mode of interpersonal communication among young people at the turn of the 20th century (Thurlow 2011). This study aimed at investigating the impact of SMS/text messages on the acquisition of Standard English writing in Tanzania. The general objective of this particular study was to explore the distinctive linguistic features of text messages used by university undergraduate students and their impact on the acquisition of Standard English writing at higher learning institution in Tanzania. In carrying out this study, Communication Accommodation Theory by Giles (1987) was applied. The area of study was Dodoma Municipality located in Dodoma region and the focus was on higher learning institutions. This study involved a total of 80 respondents. Gender was considered in the distribution of respondents. Data were gathered through questionnaire, telephone survey and documentary review. Data based on questionnaires were analyzed through SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) in terms of descriptive statistics. Basically the study employed both qualitative approach and quantitative approach. The findings of this study clearly show that text messaging is characterized by both standard and non standard language, though non standard language seems to be the greatest feature of students‟ text messages. General effects of text messaging on acquisition of standard English writing in particular is seen to be as a result of the nature of text messaging which give rise to more abbreviated language. Hence the researcher recommends that educational practitioners should stamp out the use of language by finding effective ways to improve and enable students acquire sensitivity towards appropriate use of language in a specific situation.