Journal of Language and Linguistics in Society

Exploring efl students’ perspectives on the use of ai chatbots in language education

Arafat Shahriar — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

AI-based chatbots have become integrated tools in our personal, professional, and academic lives. Within this context, this study examines how Bangladeshi EFL students perceive and experience the use of chatbots such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Co-pilot, Gemini, Google Bard, etc., in English language teaching and learning. A total of 120 students from the Department of English at a private university in Bangladesh participated in this research. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through a structured survey questionnaire containing 25 items, divided in three categories. The questionnaire aimed to collect students' attitudes toward the usage of chatbots in language education, chatbots’ effectiveness in English Language Teaching (ELT), and their concerns toward chatbot usage in general. Responses were analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS software. The findings show that students generally have a positive view of integrating chatbots into English language education. Most EFL students find chatbots’ benefits in improving language learning, especially in vocabulary building, grammar, essay writing, and personalized learning. However, many students were uncertain about chatbots’ ability to enhance other language skills like listening and speaking skills. Interestingly, these students also show concerns about ethical issues such as plagiarism, over-dependence, and the accuracy of content generated by chatbots. The paper concludes with several recommendations on how to include chatbots effectively and ethically into English language teaching and learning practices.

Voices from the waterside: a sociolinguistic study of fish trade communication in itu

Kingsley James Effiong — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The linguistic dynamics and communication patterns of fish dealers in three important waterside communities: Obot Itu beach, Mbiabo bridge beach, and Oku Iboku water front are examined in this study. Using a sociolinguistic approach, the study examines the strategic use of language in the context of fish trading, emphasising the interaction of communication, culture, and commerce. To guarantee a thorough analysis, the study used a survey method in addition to focused group interviews, non-participant observation, and secondary data sources. Thirty informants in all were purposefully chosen from the previously stated locations. Speech Act Theory served as the analytical framework for the descriptive analysis of the data, allowing for the identification and interpretation of a variety of speech acts that define the transactional and interpersonal interactions among fish dealers, including directions, commissives, expressives, and assertives. The results show that the trading communities' socioeconomic realities and cultural values are reflected in the abundant use of indigenous linguistic resources, context-specific jargon, and practical techniques. In addition to providing insights into how language shapes social interaction in local marketplaces, this research advances our understanding of grassroots economic communication.

Lexical richness and language mastery: a correlation

Dr. Sameeul Haq Nazki — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores how lexical richness relates to language mastery. It focuses on how vocabulary range and depth affect learners’ proficiency and expressive skills. Lexical richness reflects the variety and quality of vocabulary used. It is a key marker of language ability. As learners progress, richer vocabulary helps improve fluency and understanding. Yet, the direct link between lexical richness and language skill needs more study, especially in second language (L2) learning. A mixed-method study was used. It combined data from speaking and writing tasks of 60 L2 English learners at upper-intermediate and advanced levels. Lexical diversity was measured with tools like Type-Token Ratio (TTR), Lexical Density, and Sophistication. These were matched with CEFR test scores and content analysis for expression. There was a clear positive link between vocabulary richness and language skill. Learners with high scores showed wider and more advanced word use, especially in writing and speaking. Their vocabulary uses also improved clarity and emotional depth. Correlation analysis showed that richer vocabulary predicts higher language ability. Qualitative findings showed that better word use helped learners express ideas more clearly. Lexical richness is vital for strong language skills. Language teaching should focus more on building vocabulary depth and range.

Conceptualizing óbì and ọkàn: a comparative analysis of heart metaphors in igbo and yoruba

Adaobì Ngozi Okoye, Peter Oyewole Makinde — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores conceptualizations associated with the heart rendered óbì and ọkan respectively in Igbo and Yoruba; two major Nigerian languages of the same typological descent. Although similar, these terms embody rich cultural metaphors that reveal how emotions, morality, personhood, and spirituality are perceived within each culture. Drawing on the Cognitive Linguistics framework, particularly Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) and based on data from primary and secondary sources, the study reveals that in both languages, the heart is metaphorically constructed as a fragile object, a container, a seat of thought and emotion, and even a moral compass. However, key differences emerge in the religious and metaphysical loading associated with each language. This comparative analysis not only enhances our understanding of embodiment in African languages but also emphasizes the interplay between language, cognition, and culture.

Language on the move: analyzing communication pattern between drivers and loaders in uyo

Kingsley James Effiong — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the language exchanges and communication techniques used by loaders and commercial drivers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State's urban transportation system. The study looks into how people use language to manage interpersonal relationships, coordinate activities, and negotiate positions in the hectic setting of automobile parks. To give a comprehensive picture of the communication context, data were gathered using the survey method with assistance from focused group interviews, non-participant observation, and pertinent secondary sources. AKTC Park, God is Good Park, and Itam Motor Park are the three main parks in Uyo from which fifty informants were purposefully chosen. A descriptive analysis of the data was conducted using Speech Act Theory as the analytical framework, emphasising the usage of directives, expressives, commissives, and assertives, among other speech acts, in daily encounters. The findings demonstrate a dynamic, context-dependent use of language characterized by informal codes, slang, gestural complements, and culturally anchored expressions that enhance effective communication and job performance. The study highlights the socio-pragmatic roles of language in transport hubs and provides insightful information about workplace talk in informal urban settings.

Lexical challenges: the impact of complex vocabulary on l2 learners’ proficiency

Sibgatuullah Nazki — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the influence of complex vocabulary on language acquisition for second language (L2) learners. Vocabulary development is at the center of L2 learning and teaching. While much research emphasises vocabulary size, significant studies address the effects of complex vocabulary, such as idioms, multiple-meaning words, and complex form words. Addressing the difficulty of comprehension due to complex vocabulary is key to shaping pedagogical practice and curriculum. A mixed-methods approach was used for data collection. The study engaged sixty intermediate level English language learners across two different institutes. Quantitative data came from the vocabulary tests and the proficiency tests administered to the learners. Qualitative data were collected through the interviews and classroom observations. The vocabulary items in the tests were disaggregated according to frequency of usage across different genres and tasks. Strong associations emerged between complex vocabulary, and learner difficulty in reading and speaking, particularly due to rare words and idioms. The learners who received direct teaching of complex vocabulary demonstrated increases in their language acquisition. The data from class progressions recorded that those learners that were highest in their complex vocabulary tests performed the best in their language tests overall, (r = 0.68, p <0.01). The interviews and observations suggested guided learning facilitated personal autonomy in learning about complex vocabulary and reduced the fear of complex words leading to increased confidence to speak.

Poetic structures and cultural reflection in tigsik: exploring the bicol’s oral poetry

Darrel M. Ocampo, Julius D. Bulahan — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explored the poetical elements, common themes, and cultural significance of tigsik in Bicol, focusing on how it reflects the lifestyle of Bicolanos. Employing qualitative research techniques such as thematic and discourse analysis, data were gathered from deliberately chosen teachers and students in specific municipalities of Camarines Sur. To maintain validity, methods like peer debriefing, member checking, and audit trails were utilized. Results showed that tigsik generally contains four-line stanzas that lack a set syllabic structure but utilize rhymes, rhyme patterns, alliteration, assonance, and consonance, enriching its expressive nature. The tigsik compositions and participant narratives revealed six major themes: love, family as a blessing, companionship, salvation, optimism, hope during the pandemic, and faith in God. These themes emphasize Bicolanos' cultural identity and enhance the experiences of readers and listeners by reflecting their values, customs, work ethic, and social behaviors. The researchers advise using local resources in literature instruction to increase cultural awareness and encouraging tigsik writing in Bicol schools to preserve regional literature and culture.

Metaphors as narrative tools in english for specific purposes: insights from biology students

Sayf Mohamed — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Metaphors play an essential role in shaping understanding and meaning representations, especially in the context of ESP where students encounter technical and domain-specific language. This study investigates the role of metaphors as narrative tools in scientific acquisition, focusing on university students pursuing a biology degree. This study builds on theoretical frameworks and insights from existing research to explore the effectiveness of conceptual metaphors in explaining and understanding domain-specific knowledge. To this aim, we investigate the comprehension of metaphorical language in first-year science and biology English reading texts using diagnostic assessments. The study involves a two-phase testing process: in the first phase, students are required to define and explain discipline-specific vocabulary and expressions. In the second phase, the same terms and expressions are presented in metaphorical contexts, such as “plasma membrane as a gatekeeper,” “DNA as a recipe book.” The results reveal significant improvements in student performance in the second test, where discipline-specific vocabulary is presented in metaphorical contexts. This suggests that metaphors not only facilitat the comprehension of technical terms but also help bridge the gap between language acquisition and technical mastery, enhancing the overall quality of their explanations.