Friend

The aim of the present study is to investigate and compare the choice of language used in an online platform (Facebook) and during offline communication with reference to a family member, a friend, and an acquaintance in the same multilingual speech community. As part of this study, a structured sociolinguistics questionnaire was administered to 38 multilingual postgraduate students. This is followed by interviewing selected focus group to elicit more information on various factors that influence their language behavior. The major finding of this study is that apart from family circle, a majority of multilingual users in India prefer to use English for Facebook private communications only among friends and acquaintances while Mother tongue is the dominant language use for offline communications.

Through this paper, the need of a good friend has been discussed by taking evidence from Islamic sources. This evidence then is further reinforced through the discussion of sociological, cognitive and psychological research findings. The introduction of this paper briefly sheds light on how Islam is a complete code of life and how friends have played an important role in expanding and sustaining this code. Furthermore the introduction shortly discusses the need for friends as identified via contemporary sociological research. The main theme of the presents references from the Holy Quran and Sunnah through which the need of having and being a good friend in human life is critically explored. Lastly, conclusion of the paper sums up the discussion and presents recommendations through which the element of friendship can be effectively incorporated in one’s life.