The Influence of Social Networks During Study Abroad: Acquiring Non-Standard Varieties
Over the past 20 years, researchers have shown increasing interest in social network analysis to understand second language acquisition (SLA), especially in a study abroad (SA) context. To date, few longitudinal studies have examined the joint evolution of the learners’ sociolinguistic competence an...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/10/5/108 |
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| author | Rozenn Gautier Jean-Pierre Chevrot |
| author_facet | Rozenn Gautier Jean-Pierre Chevrot |
| author_sort | Rozenn Gautier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Over the past 20 years, researchers have shown increasing interest in social network analysis to understand second language acquisition (SLA), especially in a study abroad (SA) context. To date, few longitudinal studies have examined the joint evolution of the learners’ sociolinguistic competence and socialisation during the SA. By shifting the focus from a global view of the study abroad context to a deep analysis of the composition and structure of each learner’ social networks in the host country, we aim to provide a better understanding of the development of sociolinguistic competence in SLA (Gautier & Chevrot, 2015). We apply the sociological concept of a social network to sociolinguistics. To explore the sociolinguistic competence of 29 learners, we focus on two well-described sociolinguistic variables in French: the optional liaison and the negative <i>ne</i>. We also gathered data on their social networks and provided a deep analysis of each participant’s network. We implemented a quantitative approach to analyse and depict the social networks of the learners. Statistically significant relationships were found between changes in the learners’ personal network and their use of the two sociolinguistic variables. The development of L2-oriented social networks (in terms of size, speaking time, and frequency) over nine months of the SA helps learners to reduce their use of standard variants. Conversely, the development of L1-oriented social networks during the SA is associated with greater use of standard variants. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3b89e3ea053d4ff1b92bea729dc06c3c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2226-471X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Languages |
| spelling | doaj-art-3b89e3ea053d4ff1b92bea729dc06c3c2025-08-20T03:47:54ZengMDPI AGLanguages2226-471X2025-05-0110510810.3390/languages10050108The Influence of Social Networks During Study Abroad: Acquiring Non-Standard VarietiesRozenn Gautier0Jean-Pierre Chevrot1LIDILEM, Grenoble Alpes University, 38400 Grenoble, FranceLIDILEM, Grenoble Alpes University, 38400 Grenoble, FranceOver the past 20 years, researchers have shown increasing interest in social network analysis to understand second language acquisition (SLA), especially in a study abroad (SA) context. To date, few longitudinal studies have examined the joint evolution of the learners’ sociolinguistic competence and socialisation during the SA. By shifting the focus from a global view of the study abroad context to a deep analysis of the composition and structure of each learner’ social networks in the host country, we aim to provide a better understanding of the development of sociolinguistic competence in SLA (Gautier & Chevrot, 2015). We apply the sociological concept of a social network to sociolinguistics. To explore the sociolinguistic competence of 29 learners, we focus on two well-described sociolinguistic variables in French: the optional liaison and the negative <i>ne</i>. We also gathered data on their social networks and provided a deep analysis of each participant’s network. We implemented a quantitative approach to analyse and depict the social networks of the learners. Statistically significant relationships were found between changes in the learners’ personal network and their use of the two sociolinguistic variables. The development of L2-oriented social networks (in terms of size, speaking time, and frequency) over nine months of the SA helps learners to reduce their use of standard variants. Conversely, the development of L1-oriented social networks during the SA is associated with greater use of standard variants.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/10/5/108study abroadsociolinguistic competencesocial network |
| spellingShingle | Rozenn Gautier Jean-Pierre Chevrot The Influence of Social Networks During Study Abroad: Acquiring Non-Standard Varieties Languages study abroad sociolinguistic competence social network |
| title | The Influence of Social Networks During Study Abroad: Acquiring Non-Standard Varieties |
| title_full | The Influence of Social Networks During Study Abroad: Acquiring Non-Standard Varieties |
| title_fullStr | The Influence of Social Networks During Study Abroad: Acquiring Non-Standard Varieties |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Influence of Social Networks During Study Abroad: Acquiring Non-Standard Varieties |
| title_short | The Influence of Social Networks During Study Abroad: Acquiring Non-Standard Varieties |
| title_sort | influence of social networks during study abroad acquiring non standard varieties |
| topic | study abroad sociolinguistic competence social network |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/10/5/108 |
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