Facebook Use and the Construction of Social Identity Case Study: Kabyle-Speaking Female Students of the Department of English at UMMTO

Abstract

This study is concerned with investigating the influence of the use of Facebook on the social identity of Kabyle female students of the department of English at Mouloud Mammeri University. The study aimed at checking whether Facebook use influences the social identity of the Kabyle female students through the revealing of their real identity and the expression of gender biases which are reflected in the language use of the participants. The investigation is based on a Mixed Methods Research. It combines Sacks et al Model of Conversation Analysis with a questionnaire addressed to a group of Kabyle female students of the department of English at Mouloud Mammeri University. The outcomes are analysed according to Sacks et al Model of Conversation Analysis, semantic conversation analysis and statistical methods of analysis. After the discussion of the results, we have found out that the use of Facebook does not influence the social identity of Kabyle female students in their real context. However, they develop confidence and self esteem in the virtual community. We also found out that the use of Facebook influences the construction of gender identity of the Kabyle Female students through their use of language in their Facebook interactions. Women’s language use is undergoing a considerable change in comparison to the nineties: the period of terrorism in Algeria. Consequently the difference in context and means of communication brought out a linguistic evolution in women’s speech that is directly linked to their gender and social identities.