The Netflix Effect: How Globish is Shaping Language Use Among Undergraduates in Lahore

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the perception of undergraduate students of the use of a simplified version of English known as Globish. Netflix has appeared as the medium of this simplified English exposure. The key features of Globish are simple sentence structures, active voice, and avoidance of idiomatic expressions in speech. This research is grounded in Saussure’s theoretical framework, which explores their grammatical preferences, contextual applications, and adaptation of simplified English. For data collection, 60 students of seven schools at Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, voluntarily participated. Data were collected through a Google Form, which comprised closed and open-ended questions. For the analysis, a convergent mixed-method approach was employed. Quantitative data were analyzed through SPSS for descriptive analysis, and qualitative data were interpreted through thematic analysis. Eventually, the key findings indicate a clear trend of students’ preference for using Globish features in their language. Furthermore, Netflix had a significant impact on shaping these linguistic trends. The findings emphasize that the media platform is not only entertaining but also has become a medium of linguistic input. Consequently, the findings open new pathways of language learning in pedagogical methods and school curricula.