Language practices adapt to the domain and culture of their users. This mixed-method research aims to investigate the role of language in a MOBA game called Dota 2, examining the speech convergence of female gamers towards male linguistic features. Three theories are used; Men's Language Framework by Mulac and Mehl and Pennebaker to categorise the male linguistic features; Women’s Language Framework by Lakoff to draw distinctions; Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) by Giles to analyse motives of convergence. 2 questionnaires were given out to 10 female and 10 male participants to investigate their opinion on convergence and perception towards it respectively. Findings revealed that female players do converge towards male linguistic features, noting their positive and negative implications. Data also shows that male players perceive the convergence with a mix of familiarity and acceptance. Results suggest that convergence occurs even within the gaming community, and its culture plays a big role in dictating the language practices and perceptions. This sheds light on how sociolinguistics theories can extend into digital platforms even when the social status or hierarchy is virtual.

Keywords: linguistic convergence; male linguistic features; gendered language; female gamers; gaming community

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