The Impact of Everyday Discourse in Shaping the Lifestyle of the Undergraduate Students
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This study probes into the undergraduate students' everyday usage of discourse and its complex effects on their way of life. Discourse, in its written and spoken form, serves as a means of social interaction, identity construction, and cultural expression, apart from just a tool for academic engagement. The study examines how students use language in academic, social, and digital contexts. By using quantitative and qualitative methodology that incorporates focus groups, semi-structured interviews, naturalistic observations, and surveys from the target people. This study documents genuine language use among a variety of undergraduate populations from various academic fields and cultural backgrounds. The findings of the study reveal that the students' use of informal language expresses their social status, defines personal identities, and makes sense of their experiences in addition to using it as a useful tool for communication. Students' perception of academic and personal affairs is influenced by their use of everyday discourse, which also promotes the development of micro-communities within the university and makes peer interactions more relaxed and connected. Furthermore, broader social issues like cultural norms, internet communication patterns and changing perspectives of the students are significantly reflected in their language choices. This study contributes to the existing research on the connection between language, identity, and education by highlighting the overwhelming ways in which linguistic practices permeate students' everyday lives. The researchers in this study focus on the necessity of recognizing informal language as a reasonable and pivotal element in higher education settings, with implications for inclusive communication strategies and pedagogical consequences.
Language is an integral part of human experience since it is the primary means of human thought, social interaction, and cultural transmission. In higher education, the emphasis on language use is often restricted to its formal and academic usage. Despite being essential for academic purposes, this perspective usually ignores the casual, informal and intensely personal language that influences daily life of the students. Students' use of the common discourse, both in written and spoken forms, navigates social interactions, creates personal identities and makes sense of their complex world. The aim of this research is to investigate the various functions of undergraduate students' daily conversations and the significant impacts they have on their identity development, social relationships, and general well-being (Chaudhuri and Islam, 2025).
In traditional academic settings, there is often a clear line between formal and informal communication, which makes the latter seem less significant. But for a lot of students, the everyday language they use makes up their social world. The use of informal language shows their identity, belonging, and real self-expression. This research focuses less on academic discourse and gives emphasis on students' everyday linguistic practices as a central, valid, and significant domain of investigation. The researchers tried to find out what social and psychological roles their communication patterns play by looking at how students use language in different situations, such as in classroom, with friends, and online. We posit that informal language functions as an essential instrument for identity formation, community development, and self-reflection, shaping students' perceptions of their academic and personal experiences. Though much research has been conducted on discourse analysis in different perspectives but very insignificant number of studies has been accomplished on the everyday discourse used by the undergraduate students. In this study, the researchers examine the implications of using informal language as a crucial component in higher education contexts.
We employed a blend of qualitative and quantitative methods. This mixed-method approach enabled us to record genuine language usage and acquires profound insights into students' perceptions of their own communication. The results show that casual conversation is not only a way to talk to each other but also a strong way to define social standing, shape personal identities, and make meaning of events. This research demonstrates that everyday discourse affects students' perceptions of academic and personal matters and promotes the formation of ‘micro-communities' derived from Étienne Wenger's Social Learning theory which defines Communities of Practice (CoP), forms of belonging and identity (Lave & Wenger, 1991). Additionally, students' linguistic choices significantly reflect broader social issues, encompassing cultural conventions, their communication patterns, and the evolution of personal opinions. With the advent of the Internet, students from all walks of life are getting themselves highly involved in social media platforms, using different entertainment Apps, etc. This association is having a serious impact on their everyday language usage. In many cases, the mixture of formal and informal languages are getting mixed-up, thus creating a state of confusion among many regarding language usage in their everyday life.
Rationale of the Study
The rationale behind this study is to understand how informal language functions more than a means of communication as it may also reflect one's identity, create a sense of social belonging, and initiate cultural adaptation within academic settings. Therefore, this study aims at exploring how everyday discourse affects ones:
Everyday discourse significantly influences the lifestyles of undergraduate students by affecting their communication patterns, social identities, and interaction dynamics. Recent studies have examined multiple aspects of this impact within their institutional and academic contexts. The transition to university is a crucial phase in a person's life, characterized by significant changes in social, academic, and personal domains. Institutional factors like curriculum and campus policies are often thought to be the main ones that affect students' lives. However, everyday discourse - informal conver-sations, social media interactions, and unwritten rules that govern daily life - is becoming more and more recognised as a powerful force in shaping students' lifestyles. This research analyses the impact of everyday discourse on the behaviours, values, and identities of undergraduate students, particularly regarding social interactions, academic practices, and personal well-being.
Everyday interaction is essential in shaping the social environment of university life. Peer discussions and online engagements on social media platforms help in building a micro-community among the students. In addition to basic peer pressure, discourse also influences the fundamental structure of social interactions. The language employed in establishing friendships, navigating romantic relationships, and resolving disagreements on campus mirrors and perpetuates specific social hierarchies and ideals. The way in which students discuss their social life frequently mirrors their cultural narratives and expectations, thus affecting their behaviours and decisions. Ultimately, daily communication significantly impacts a student's mental health and self-concept. Student discussions on themselves and their peers, whether conducted in person or online, have a significant role in shaping their "internal dimension" or "personality style" (Van Dijk, 2023). This encompasses the discourse of self-talk, frequently mirroring the "evaluative perspective" assimilated from one's social milieu (Bakhtin, 1986). The quotidian language regarding everyday life, health, and wellness on campus and social media can foster a culture of comparison and anxiety, impacting students' social identities, eating practices, and self-esteem. The discussion of political and social topics, increasingly common on digital platforms, can influence students' ideological orientations and sense of belonging. Through these discussions, students are not merely expressing opinions; they are actively constructing their identity and defining their role within the campus community.
The literature implies that daily conversation significantly influences the lives of undergraduate students, though it is frequently underestimated. It serves as a "discursive formation" (Foucault, 1972) that shapes various behaviours, including social interactions, academic practices, personal well-being, and identity development. The informal dialogues and internet interactions among peers are not merely indicative of student life; they are, in fact, essential to its formation. Future study must persist in examining the intricacies of these discursive practices, especially within an increasingly digital landscape, to enhance comprehension of how universities may have impacts on the students' daily lives and comprehensive student development.
Research Gap
A literature review indicated that everyday discourse could be a powerful cultural and social force. It shapes communication, identity, and social well-being. Social media and peer talk also mirror cultural norms.
Based on the current scenario, the researchers intended to investigate how everyday informal discourse affects the lifestyle of undergraduate students in a private university context and how this linguistic practice helps shape their social identity and sense of belonging.
Theoretical Framework
Discourse is not essentially a collection of words; it is a social practice that both shapes and is shaped by social reality (Fairclough, 1992). This viewpoint, grounded in critical discourse analysis (CDA), emphasises the role of language and communication in reproducing, sustaining, and contesting power dynamics, ideologies, and societal norms (van Dijk, 2009). In the realm of higher education, this indicates that the dialogues and linguistic selections made by students are not devoid of importance. Rather, they are intricately woven into the university's social frameworks, shaping perceptions of what is seen as "cool" or "unproductive" and influencing students' understanding of their academic and social identities. Wetherell, (2001) contends that quotidian discourse is a fundamental arena for the formation of identities. To comprehend the formation of students' lifestyles, it is essential to examine the discourse prevalent in their daily experiences.
Ogah et al. (2024) performed a socio-discourse analysis of oral communication among undergraduates at selected Nigerian tertiary institutions. The study demonstrated that social and cultural factors signifi-cantly influence students' discourse patterns, power dynamics, and social identities in communication. A significant number of students exhibited insufficient understanding of functional varieties of English in informal discourse contexts, indicating a deficiency in discourse competence that affects their lifestyle and interpersonal relationships. Gender, ethnicity, and peer group dynamics significantly influenced students' oral interactions, underscoring the socio-cultural context of everyday discourse (Ogah et al., 2024).
As per the social identity theory, individuals categorise themselves and others into groups, deriving a sense of identity from group membership. Everyday discourse reinforces group norms and values, influen-cing students' lifestyle choices to align with their peer groups (Tajfel & Turner, 1979; Islam et al., 2024).
Research Questions
This study has been designed by the following three fundamental research questions:
A mixed-method approach has been adopted for this study to enable a deep, nuanced understanding of the social and psychological functions of undergraduate students' everyday discourse. This approach allowed us to use both qualitative and quantitative measures of language use and delve into the lived experiences and perceptions of the participants themselves. The research design was grounded in an interpretive paradigm, seeking to understand the meanings that individuals ascribe to their linguistic practices within their social and academic contexts.
This study aims to facilitate a profound and nuanced comprehension of the social and psychological roles of undergraduate students' daily talk. This methodology enabled us to transcend quantitative assessments of language utilization and explore the participants' real experiences and perceptions. The research design was based on an interpretive paradigm, and quantitative data aiming to comprehend the meanings individuals attribute to their linguistic activities within their social and cultural settings. In fact, the researchers conducted a survey on 30 undergraduate students (10 questions both open and closed-ended), focus groups (semi-structured interviews), and naturalistic observations on the target students.
Participants
The study involved a selective sample of 30 undergraduate students from a big, diversified university, irrespective of different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. The sample was meticulously chosen to encompass many academic disciplines, including the arts, humanities, sciences, and business, alongside individuals from varied cultural and social contexts. This diversity was essential for encompassing the extensive range of linguistic practices and cultural influences found within a university setting. Participants were enlisted through snowball sampling. All participants were adults, exceeding the age of 18, and provided their consent willingly. They were meticulously informed that their opinions were taken only for research purposes and all the data will be kept confidential.
For executing the quantitative research, a survey was conducted on 30 participants from a large diverse (various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds) university to collect primary data. The questionnaire includes five multiple-choice items and three open-ended inquiries. The random sampling technique has been employed for this empirical research. The following section presents a tabular representation of the data acquired from the questionnaire along with the analytical insights.
Table 1: You regularly use informal language in your university.
Observation
We found that the highest number of participants, 12 students (40%), strongly disagree with the use of informal language in a university setting while only 01 respondent (3.33%) strongly agrees. The highest percentage of disagreement shows that formal language is generally expected in universities.
Table 2: You feel comfortable using informal language in academic discussions.
Observation
The highest number 10 participants (33.33%) agreed that they felt comfortable to use casual words whereas, 3 of them (10%) showed their discomfort in using informal language. A substantial percentage of participants (26.66%) stayed neutral; this could mean either they are not really sure about which language could count as informal or formal language, or they do not feel comfortable using informal language in academic settings. So, the data shows that most of the students preferred to use informal language in academic communication.
Table 3: What impact does informal language have on your relationship with peers and teachers? Mention your points.
Observation
These are free, open statements. The most common opinions have been selected and converted to percentage. A few of them skipped to answer the question. It is observed that students must adapt with their language use, formal with seniors and informal with peers.
From Table 3, it is noticed that 4 participants (13.33%) expressed their opinion regarding everyday language as a tool for social bonding as well as academic communication. While 10 students (30%) prefer to be formal in their behaviour wth teachers. Whereas 3 respondents (10%) think that students should be more decent while communicating with their teachers. Again, 9 students (26.66%) seem to be more free and confident with their friends. However, only 1 participant (3.33%) opines that there is no impact of language use in his life since he always tries to maintain the use of formal and informal language in his conversation. The researchers found that students are formal with seniors and informal with peers.
Table 4: You modify your language depending on the social setting or group you interact with.
Observation
This table shows that 15 participants (50%) agreed, and 9 respondents (30%) strongly agreed that they modify their everyday language depending on the social setting. This means that 80% of the students are aware of cultural adequacy and voluntarily adjust their language. On the other hand, only 05 participants (16.66%) disagreed and strongly disagreed that they do not modify their language in any setting while only 3.33% of participants remained neutral. It may be because of their linguistics variation.
Table 5: Do you perceive any connection between language use and life style among your fellow students? Give your opinion.
Observation
The highest number of participants, 15 respondents (50%) believed that people who use informal language are more friendly and who use formal language seem to be more serious. Again, among the participants 3 persons (10%) expressed that students' daily communication shows the refection of their social status. So, it has been revealed that half of the participants, 15 saw language as a reflection of personality and social relationship.
Table 6: Everyday discourse helps build a sense of community among your peers.
Observation
This Table 6 gives the evidence of using informal language to build a sense of community among the peers. Around half of the participants (15 participants) gives the positive response and around 16% of people firmly agree with the response. On the other hand, only one participant (3.33%) firmly disagree with the response.
Table 7: How does everyday discourse affect your perception and understanding of university life?
Observation
The highest percentage 25%, (08 students) proves that social media has a great impact in terms of language. Whereas only 2 respondents (6.66%) directly connect their quotidian talks with their cultural understanding referring that this connection may not be seriously perceived by all other students. So, the researcher concludes that everyday discourses - through especially social media - have positive and negative impacts on everyday communication, perception and social connection.
Table 8: Informal language encourages openness and sense of sharing during group discussions.
Observation
The majority of participants, 18 (60%) agreed and 4 (13.33%) strongly agreed and acknowledged the influence of everyday language in group discussion this indicates that everyday language has a positive impact and it is helpful for enhancing interaction during group discussion. On the other hand, only 3 participants (10%) showed their disagreements, while 5 participants (16.66%) remained neutral.
Table 9: Your interactions with peers are more genuine while using informal language.
Observation
The data given in the table shows the mixed attitude towards the genuine relationship among the peers while using slangs like ajaira, jhakkas, vabs, bro, mama, josh etc. Almost half of the participants 13 participants (43.33%) agree with the statement. However, only 3 students (10%) show their negative feeling towards this response.
So, the researchers observed that a significant number of participants (43.33% agreed and 26.66% strongly agreed) were in favour of using slang language in day-to-day communication which builds a strong relationship among peers.
Table 10: Social media and internet communication patterns influence how you use language in everyday life.
Observation
This table indicates that the majority of participants (50%) "Agree" and 20% "Strongly agree" that social media has a big impact on their daily conversations implying that social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp influence how individuals communicate, express themselves, and use language like slangs, acronyms, short forms like bro, lol, and emojis.
Findings in a nutshell (the highest percentage)
From the questionnaire survey, the findings of the researchers are given below:
Therefore, it is found that undergraduate students prefer formal communication in university settings, they modify language depending on social setting and believe informal discourse in building their community. It is also seen that social media acts as a vital element in shaping their communication and linguistic practices.
Discussion on the Findings
This study's findings highlight the significant impact of informal language in the lives of undergraduate students. The data analysis indicated that students' linguistic practices extend beyond mere communication; they are integral to their social standing, identity formation, and cognitive processing. A variety of slang terms used in the daily speech among students such as jotil, hebby, fatafati, chorom, jhakkas, vabs, mama, josh, abbey, bepar na, ajaira etc. reflect their social identity and lifestyle.
Language as a Tool for Identity and Status
A prominent trend that emerged from the data was the utilization of informal language to build and articulate personal identity. Participants repeatedly articulated that their utilization of slang, particular phrases, and the cadence and tone of their speech were intentional selections that conveyed their identity and affiliations. For many, this mode of verbal expression starkly contrasted with the formal academic writing mandated in their schoolwork. A student from the focus group said, "In my essays, I must maintain a formal tone, but with my friends, I can genuinely express myself," emphasizing the sense of authenticity associated with informal communication. This corresponds with sociolinguistic theories that regard language as a fundamental social practice for expressing and indicating identity (Bourdieu, 1991).
The research revealed that being fluent in a group's specific dialect performed as a type of social exchange. Students who adeptly utilized contemporary slang such as ‘bro, mama, vaidi, deikha nimu' were regarded as more accepted and informed. This phenomenon was most pronounced in the digital realm, where the swift progression of memes, hashtags, and acronyms established an ever-changing array of language conventions. A student remarked, "The abundance of inside jokes and specialized terminology on our Discord server can leave those who are not consistently present feeling disoriented." It resembles our internal vocabulary. This illustrates how informal conversation establishes a border, a type of linguistic screening that strengthens the bonds between groups while subconsciously alienating outsiders. This discovery builds upon the research of Pudlinski, (2005) and others, who have consistently noted the role of shared language in fostering unity among teams.
Focus Group Interview (semi-structured questions):
The researchers divided the participants into 6 groups (5 students in each group). The following questions were asked:
Findings in a nutshell
In questionnaire surveys, the participants might not have expressed their feelings and opinions genuinely and exactly. They might be reluctant and did not want to answer directly. For this reason, the researchers arranged a semi-structured interview with the focus group of students so that they can talk comfortably and share their feelings in an easy, free, and frank manner.
During the interview, it is found that the participants were expressing themselves with less hesitation and in some cases, their opinion elicited different information that added value to the findings. For example, in questionnaire survey, we found that 40% of the participants prefer formal communication in university settings but during the focus group interview, it is observed that they are very much habituated with informal language which reflects their socio-economic and cultural background.
Although 50% agree that they modify their language depending on the social setting but in reality, they are not changing their language in different situation which was revealed in the focus group discussions. 50% of the participants think that language use reflects life styles of students. Informal language users seem more friendly while picking up slangs and short forms of various words used in their daily conversation such as ‘lol', ‘bro', ‘asthir', ‘Jhakkas' etc.
Naturalistic observations
Students provided screenshots of their conversation with peers. Use of Bangla is prominent. It is the same in other cases. A few screenshots have been shown below:
Moreover, authentic, spontaneous language usage in its natural setting for example, at student lounges, the library, inside the lifts and on the stairs, etc. was recorded. Notes were taken by the researchers later on that included speech fragments such as, ‘ajaira', ‘vabs', ‘jhakkas', ‘deikha nimu' etc. that are not even appropriate Bangla words. During conversation, they frequently code switch between Bangla and English language.
Limitation and Possibilities of the Study
This study has been conducted only in one private university and 30 students have been taken as the participants of this study. The result of the study might vary if the researchers could have taken a large number of students from different universities at least (two or more). Another limitation, the researchers felt regarding data collection is that the students might not express their actual feeling or linguistic practices in front of the teachers. The future researchers may focus on how long-term use of informal discourse practices evolve over time and its effects on overall socio-economic and cultural scenario of Bangladesh.
After analysing quantitative data, focus group interviews, and naturalistic observations, it is observed that everyday discourse bridges academic and social life in the university settings and informal talk fosters inclusion, authenticity, and micro - communities. Moreover, everyday language projects self-expression and sense of belonging among the undergraduate students and also mirrors social hierarchy and digital culture which is mostly foreign to the societal environment of Bangladesh. They believe that slangs and casual words strengthen bonds among students. Social Media initiates more informal expression indicating the linguistic changes that is quite derogatory in perspective of social norms and values. They feel a sense of community, and social bonding among peers as there is no censorship on social media. The claims are evident in their activities and life style (For example; Beautification: body piercing, tattoo, Botox, hair colour, dress-up, social norms: issue of free-mixing and marriage, issue of LGBTQ, issues of dress-up and styling for both men and women etc. To conclude, it can be said that informal language certainly has a great influence on the students' socio-economic, cultural and academic activities.
S.A.: Conceptualization, methodology and data analysis, A.R.B.: Contributed to data collection and investigation, writing and editing the manuscript. All authors involved in this research read and approved the manuscript for publication.
We would like to sincerely thank the individuals that contributed to us in executing this research. First and foremost, we would like to express our gratitude to the teachers and students who took part in this research. Their viewpoints and life experiences were crucial in forming our understanding of the discourses used in everyday life by the undergraduate students. We are also appreciative to our academic mentors and colleagues for their helpful criticism, which significantly enhanced our study. At the same time, we are grateful to the administrative staff of the participating university for helping us in collecting data and offering crucial assistance. Finally, we express our gratitude to the esteemed personnels of the selected institution for their invaluable resources and guidance during the research process. We also value the efforts of the peer reviewers, whose insightful remarks made this paper better.
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article, The Impact of Everyday Discourse in Shaping the Lifestyle of the Undergraduate Students. The research was conducted independently, and no institutional, financial, or personal interests have influenced the study's conclusions, interpretations, or findings. The authentic and honest dealing with the potential biases has ensured the credibility of the research.
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Academic Editor
Dr. Antonio Russo, Professor, Faculty of Humanities, University of Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Sr. Lecturer & Course Coordinator, Department of English, University of Scholars, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Banu AR., and Ainy S. (2026). The Impact of everyday discourse in shaping the lifestyle of the undergraduate students, Br. J. Arts Humanit., 8(2), 721-731. https://doi.org/10.34104/bjah.02607210731
