Investigating Linguistic Accommodation among University Students: The Case of EFL Students Residing on Campus at Tlemcen University

Abstract

This research attempts to explore linguistic accommodation among non Tlemceni EFL students living on campus at Tlemcen University. It seeks to find out whether these students adjust their speech in response to their social environment. Furthermore, it aims to explore the motives underlying this behaviour, examine any gender-based differences, and identify which linguistic features are most subject to change. Relying on a case study approach, data were collected through purposive sampling, by means of questionnaires, structured interviews, and observation. The findings revealed a common tendency to accommodation among students, mostly to smoothen their interaction. Male students were exceptionally found to be more accommodating in this unique context, with adaptation captured more significantly at the phonological level. In general, the study confirmed that linguistic accommodation is a dominant trend among campus-resident EFL students.