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Foreign and multilingual language play on social sites as an identity marker

ABSTRACT Not being subject to various restrictions common to more formal contexts and thus establishing complete control, users are ready for a considerable investment in the target language use, in this case the English language use, on social sites. Their investment here is motivated by the desire to assume the identity of a global citizen, the identity of unique individuals deserving the attention of the target social group. In that attempt they start playing with language, foreign and multilingual language play presenting appropriate means of creating the desired identity positions. The present study, exploring the use of English by young adult Bosnian speakers on Facebook and Instagram and the reasons underlying it, aimed at investigating the aforementioned claims. Using English the participants tried to show they possess the attributes associated with English as the global language, such as modern, trendy, omnipresent, etc. Moreover, they seemed to find being both local and international, traditional and modern, and above all unique and creative more important than being correct following native-like norms. The study is expected to broaden the understanding of the interrelation between the language use and identity negotiation, and contribute to awakening a stronger interest into the potential of language play.