Examining Language Usage and Patterns in Online Conversation: Communication Gap among Generation Y and Baby Boomers

Currently, with the rise of online communities, communication has shifted away from traditional modes that have long been based on face-to- face models of interaction, to a more digital approach such as social networks. Thus the acquisition of online literacy in social networks such as Facebook might create a gap or linguistic difference that distinguishes generation Y aged from 20 to 30 years old who are the active users of Facebook from the baby boomers aged from 40 years and above who are adopters of social network. Hence, the aim of this study is to examine topics they post, use of non standard language and the use of multimedia application in social network to highlight the issues that could allow misunderstandings to occur in social network conversation. The data is derived from the ‘status’ of selected Facebook users and analyzed qualitatively. The pilot findings show that there are differences in term of spelling innovations and capitalization, acronym and abbreviation, emoticons and punctuations. In the matter of content, baby boomers posts are more informative, direct and in order compared to generation Y. Baby boomers are also more likely to respond to the comments that are relevant to their post compared to generation Y. This study proposes that in order to minimize the differences and bridge the communication gaps generation Y need to formalize their writing and avoid unnecessary spelling innovations, capitalization, abbreviation, emoticons and punctuations that can course uncertainty to baby boomers. At the same time baby boomers should also be aware of the online literacy to mingle with the future generations.