Multilingualism and Identity Construction in the Digital Discourse
| dc.contributor.author | Ayesha Junaid | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-11-28T13:17:56Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-11-28T13:17:56Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2016 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study explores how multilingual internet users construct power relations and social identities in the digital discourse. It explores the factors that reflect gender identities in the digital discourse. In this regard, gender differences are marked on the basis of the use of speech acts, politeness and face deployment. By using the ethical frame work suggested by Mann and Stewart (2000), the data is collected from 1028 participants from five different forums. The analysis of data is carried out by mix method approach. The focus of this study is on the comparative analysis of the speech acts used by males and females on Facebook wall. Gender boundaries are examined on the basis of differences in the use of speech act kinds, politeness and face deployment in five different contexts. The data is collected in natural form and is analyzed by using Searle and Austin’s framework of speech acts correlated with Brown and Levinson’s politeness theory and Goffman’s use of face. This study reveals linguistic patterns that determine power relations and social identities in the digital discourse. The study reveals the alignment of users’ personal and collective identities at local as well as global discourses. The results show significant differences between genders in the use of speech acts, politeness, Face, Negative Face Threatening Acts, Face Threatening Acts, Face Saving Acts and Miscellaneous Category. However, no difference between genders was found in the use of Face Invading Acts, Positive Politeness and Positive Face Threatening Acts. It is hoped that the patterns found in this study with regard to genders’ use of speech acts, politeness and face deployment in the digital discourse will continue to be relevant in the future. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://escholar.umt.edu.pk/handle/123456789/13417 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | UMT Lahore | |
| dc.title | Multilingualism and Identity Construction in the Digital Discourse | |
| dc.type | Thesis |