Innovation in Language Learning

Discourse Analysis of digital game forum reveals the most popular linguistic features of games and its frequency. This is hardly noticed as a language learning potential linked to player-learner needs, belief and interaction. In this register, there are a number of game related (among them ‘overclocking), slangs and taboo words (Are you a cow?!) and a number of items as frequent lexical bundles that retains an obvious emotional impact based on sociolinguistic motives as well as language learning potential in (e.g. King of the Realm and Steam) forums.

From methodological point of view, the corpus analysis is performed using WordSmith Tool, identifying autonomy and motivation patterns related to player-learners in an Iranian context. The link between game related words and language learning potential reveals disadvantage of the frequent words in the corpus such as banning the player and its interference with L2 acquisition. This is while research on digital game-based language learning is increasing but not satisfactory in the case of the target language involved through exposure and interaction in the game guilds and communities to be conducive to effective language learning.

Keywords: Discourse Analysis, Digital game-based language learning, Player belief, interaction