The Effect of Social Media on Arabic Vocabulary in the Saudi Society

Abstract

The main goal of this research was to investigate the effect of social media on Arabic vocabulary in the Saudi context and to explore the reasons behind the phenomenon of using English words instead of Arabic words in speaking and writing. In order to achieve the goal of this study, the researcher conducted an online questionnaire with close-ended and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was distributed to 388 Saudi women and men of different ages, genders, and different educational backgrounds. As a result, an obvious effect of social media on Arabic vocabulary was found; social media platforms contributed to the phenomenon by spreading English words in Saudi society. Additionally, various other reasons behind this phenomenon were found by the researcher.