When Romance languages meet English – A (socio)linguistic study of the linguistic interferences

Abstract

The continuous process of globalization, the advancement of technology, and the sociolinguistic context are just three of the most important factors that influence the language practices of the Italian, Spanish, French, and Romanian speakers. Therefore, the aim of the present paper is to explore the nature and expanse of English influence on these linguistic varieties. From a methodological point of view, the study combines qualitative and quantitative research methods, including linguistic and comparative analyses, in order to investigate the impact of English, as well as the implications of the interferences on language use and communication. In particular, the analysis will focus on the “communication accommodation theory” that “explores why and how people modify their communication to fit situational, social, cultural, and relational contexts” (Giles, Taylor, and Bourhis 1973, 177). Ultimately, the entire article reinforces the concept of language as a living entity, having a dynamic nature and a great power in a globalized world.