A Study to Explore the Effect of Text-language on Undergraduate Students’ Spelling Errors at University Level

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of text-language on undergraduate students’ spelling errors at university level. It was descriptive study based on cross-sectional survey design in nature. Data were collected from 120 (83 female, 37 male) undergraduate students who were enrolled in English department in University of the Punjab, in the academic year of 2020-2024, by applying purposive sampling technique via self developed structured interview protocol and by administering paper pencil test (essay). Research tools were validated by experts of English Language and research committee. To explore spelling errors committed by undergraduate students’ paper pencil test (Essay 300 to 400 words) was administered to the selected 120 students with the help of SPSS (V 22) software. Text analysis technique was applied to detect the spelling errors from the paper pencil text. The students who were texting most frequent, majority of them committed substitution and ambiguous both types of spelling errors. It is advised that students should follow rules of language while texting to avoid spelling errors.