Oral language competence in the informal context and the use of language among family and friends: a quantitative study in the university context of young college students

Abstract

The fact that the use of the Basque language has not increased as much as knowledge of the language has attracted particular attention to linguistic habits in the informal sphere. In this study, oral competence in Basque in the informal environment was analyzed. Specifically, the extent to which the language used to speak to family and friends is related to this compe­tence, among young people in a university context. To this end, responses from 292 students studying Primary Education at the Donostia / San Sebastián campus of the UPV/EHU were collected using a questionnaire. The results show, among other things, that the influence of friends is greater than that of family. Consequently, it is pro­posed that the university may be an ideal place to influence not only use, but also language competence.