Feng-yuh (Erma) Lee

Martian Language: an Alien Language or an International Language? Feng-yuh (Erma) Lee

This study examines the use of Martian language onthe internet, focusing on the effect of age andgender on people's performance of Martian language aswell as the social functions of Martian language. Theresults show that: 1) Age, as a social factor, hasmore effect on people's use of Martian languagecompared with gender. The use of Martian language byboth male and female subjects declined as their ageincreased. 2) Topic type is another important factorto determine people's use of Martian language onblogs. In this study, more Martian languages werefound in the ACG and Students blogs. As expected,there were much fewer Martian languages in theFinance and Politics blogs. This result suggestsMartian language is used as a low domain code choice,which is especially exercised in a less formal andserious contexts. 3) Martian language is not onlyused as a communicative tool for time efficiency andimage-building, but also serves some social functionsfor people to construct in-group solidarity, buildfriendship, and express local or internationalidentities.