Résumé:
This study investigates the impact of social media influencers in shifting modern language use
among young people. With the rise of digital platforms, influencers have played a crucial role in
spreading new vocabulary, phrases, and communication styles. A quantitative method was adopted
through a questionnaire distributed to 80 third-year university students at the University of 8 Mai
1945 in Guelma. The analysis of the collected data supports the hypothesis, revealing that exposure
to influencers' language use significantly shapes the linguistic norms of EFL learners. Students
were found to incorporate slang, abbreviations, and trending expressions into their speech, both
consciously and unconsciously. These findings confirm that social media influencers have a
notable influence on how young people communicate today, emphasizing the increasing role of
digital media in language change and youth identity. The results reject the null hypothesis,
affirming a strong correlation between influencer content and linguistic adaptation. The study
recommends further research into media literacy and the evolving nature of informal language use
among youth.
