Abstract:
The present study investigated some correspondences between the engagement in playing
massively multiplayer online roleplaying games (MMORPGs) and students’ comprehension
ability of English slangs and clichés. It has been hypothesized that if the students engage in
playing “MMORPGs”, he/she will comprehend English slangs and clichés better. These aspects
of spoken language are hypothesized to be understood better by students who are more engaged
in playing MMORPGs. Fifty (50) master one students of English at Mohammed Seddik Ben
Yahia University, Jijel, were selected to take part in a test of comprehension of English slangs
and clichés. Half of the participants are players of MMORPGs, while the other half are non players. Players of MMORPGs were also given a questionnaire in order to enquire about their
experiences with MMORPGs. The results obtained from both research instruments have shown
that players of MMORPGs scored slightly higher than non-players in the test of comprehension
of English slangs and clichés; yet both groups of students showed a below average level of
comprehension. Pearson product-moment correlation returned a moderate positive relationship
between experience in playing MMORPGs in years and level of comprehension of English
slangs and clichés (r=0.5595). The statistical test also showed a weak but positive relationship
between the number of hours played per week of MMORPGs and level of comprehending
English slangs and clichés (r=0.292) while an insignificant relationship between using informal
language to interact in MMORPGs and level of comprehension of English slangs and clichés is
observed (r=0.0865).
