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  • Essay / The terms multiple identity and virtual identity

    This essay is written to represent what was covered in my group's presentation. It is human nature for youth and adults to represent one or more identities. Some people like to show off their ethnic identity, while others prefer to represent multiple identities. The terms “multiple identity” and “virtual identity” often overlap; but there is a major difference in meaning. When a person presents multiple identities, they are able to embody multiple identities simultaneously but within limits, unlike virtual identities. Another difference is that the representation of multiple identities occurs in real life, unlike virtual identities, which occur in the online virtual world. For example, a 36-year-old woman can have multiple identities, such as mother, lawyer, sister, and friend, but cannot be a 60-year-old woman or man. However, people can create their own character (computer-generated identity) when using the Internet. Virtually, a man can be a woman and a woman can be a man. Young can be old, and old can be young. This type of more fluid and realized identity, where the subject is embodied, is called “virtual identity” (Benwell & Stokoe, 2006). Linguists have conducted numerous studies on virtual identities and adolescence. The vast majority of researchers agree on the reasons that push adolescence to construct virtual identities in online media. The most important reason is the fact that adolescents at the age of puberty are in a phase of self-exploration and increased knowledge of their identities. This point has also been developed from a sociological point of view. In the social interactionist perspective, adolescents take on the roles of others through playful positions where they assume different people internationally and learn about other cultures. Most young people are passionate about Korean media and therefore learn to read and write in Korean. When it comes to language, English, Korean Arabic, Arabicish, and Netspeak features are used when communicating virtually. Despite the freedom they have in virtual worlds, they still demonstrate great concern for their ethnic identity by writing religious quotes in Arabic and defending their religion. It is worth noting that today's teenagers are starting to watch Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Malaysian videos. and Indonesian drama. What could be the reasons that push Saudis to turn to Eastern dramas rather than Western dramas? Are there ethnic similarities between Saudis and Easterners? Will they love them as much as the Koreans? Will they learn their languages? These questions are worth exploring in further research.