Investigating the Relationship between the Engagement in Playing Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games and Students’ Comprehension of English Slangs and Clichés

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).