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Electronic English in Malaysia: features and language in use

ABSTRACT In Malaysia, English on the Internet is creating its own hybrid variety. The Internet has been described as not just a technological revolution, but also a social. Different modes of communication on the internet such as chat, blogs and Twitter are speedily overtaking traditional forms of communication for both professional and leisure activities. In response to the communicative limitations of technology, a unique form of communication has emerged involving the use of new word forms, structures and styles of expression. This paper discusses the impact of technology on English in Malaysia by examining data samples from blogs, chats/instant messages (IM), e-mails and text messages. We highlight the distinctive features of Malaysian English users from different ethnic groups in this medium. Since Malaysians are generally bilingual and multilingual, we examine how and when different languages are used and comment on the innovation and creativity involved. It is hypothesised that technology impacts on this variety of English which has itself arisen from the globalisation of English, further shaping it, and thus giving rise to new blends and new styles of communication.