Language use in asynchronous computer-mediated communication in Taiwan

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 12.1-12.22
Author(s):  
ZZZ dummy contact - do not alter
Keyword(s):  
Language Contact ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Language Choice ◽  
Bulletin Board ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Writing Systems ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
English Alphabet

This paper describes how Chinese-English bilinguals in Taiwan use their languages in asynchronous computer-mediated communication, specifically, via Bulletin Board System (BBS) and email. The main data includes two types: emails collected from a social network and postings collected from two BBS websites. By examining patterns of language choice and language use in these two types of data, the aim of this research is to investigate how a language contact phenomenon – code-switching (CS) – is realized via different writing systems in online environmentThe data reveals that there are two levels of CS: CS between languages and CS between writing systems. In terms of CS between languages, three patterns are found: CS between Mandarin and Taiwanese, CS between Mandarin and English, CS between Mandarin, Taiwanese and English. In terms of CS between writing systems, three patterns are also identified: CS between Standard Written Chinese (SWC) and Zhuyin, CS between SWC and English alphabet, and CS between SWC, Zhuyin and English alphabet. This paper presents the two levels of CS by using the examples found in the data and describes the complex relationship between different writing systems and different languages. It is concluded that CS is found to be a common phenomenon on asynchronous CMC, where it fosters multilingualism and multi-orthography.

scholarly journals Language use in asynchronous computer-mediated communication in Taiwan

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 12.1-12.22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daphne Li-jung Huang
Keyword(s):  
Language Contact ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Language Choice ◽  
Bulletin Board ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Writing Systems ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
English Alphabet

This paper describes how Chinese-English bilinguals in Taiwan use their languages in asynchronous computer-mediated communication, specifically, via Bulletin Board System (BBS) and email. The main data includes two types: emails collected from a social network and postings collected from two BBS websites. By examining patterns of language choice and language use in these two types of data, the aim of this research is to investigate how a language contact phenomenon – code-switching (CS) – is realized via different writing systems in online environment The data reveals that there are two levels of CS: CS between languages and CS between writing systems. In terms of CS between languages, three patterns are found: CS between Mandarin and Taiwanese, CS between Mandarin and English, CS between Mandarin, Taiwanese and English. In terms of CS between writing systems, three patterns are also identified: CS between Standard Written Chinese (SWC) and Zhuyin, CS between SWC and English alphabet, and CS between SWC, Zhuyin and English alphabet. This paper presents the two levels of CS by using the examples found in the data and describes the complex relationship between different writing systems and different languages. It is concluded that CS is found to be a common phenomenon on asynchronous CMC, where it fosters multilingualism and multi-orthography.

Impression Formation in Computer-Mediated Communication and Making a Good (Virtual) Impression

2009 ◽  
pp. 1837-1848
Author(s):  
Jamie S. Switzer
Keyword(s):  
Impression Formation ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Nonverbal Cues ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Linguistic Cues

In face-to-face interactions, people generally form impressions by focusing on a variety of nonverbal cues. Increasingly, however, people are communicating virtually and forming impressions based on mediated interactions. In an online environment, the range of nonverbal cues that normally aid in impression formation is drastically narrowed. In the absence of these nonverbal cues, forming impressions via computer-mediated communication places a greater emphasis on verbal (text-based) and linguistic cues. This chapter offers strategies to ensure virtual workers make a good impression on their clients and colleagues when interacting online.

Task-based interactional sequences in different modalities

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-198
Author(s):  
Xiaofei Tang
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
The Other ◽  
Interaction Data ◽  
Potential Influence ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
L2 Learning

Abstract Recent research on Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) showed the efficacy of using computer-mediated communication (CMC) to promote second language (L2) learning (Ziegler, 2016). However, few studies compared the interactional sequences during task-based interaction across different modalities (e.g., oral and written chat). It is thus not clear how different task modalities mediate task-based interaction and L2 learning opportunities. To fill this gap, this study compared CMC written chat and face-to-face (FTF) oral chat for interactional sequences during decision-making tasks. Participants were 20 learners of Chinese (high-elementary to intermediate level) in a U.S. university. Ten participants completed the tasks in CMC, while the other 10 completed the same tasks in FTF. The interaction data were analyzed for frequency and patterns of interactional strategies. Three types of interactional sequences emerged in both groups: orientating to tasks, suggesting actions and evaluating suggestions. CMC participants suggested actions more frequently than FTF participants. While both groups predominantly agreed with proposed suggestions, CMC dyads expressed disagreement three times more than FTF dyads. CMC dyads also used more utterances to manage task progress. Findings are discussed in terms of the interactional organizations and their potential influence on task-based language use in different modalities.

scholarly journals Word Shortening Strategies: Egyptian vs. Non-Egyptian English Tweets

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Iman Mohamed Mahfouz
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Parallel Corpora ◽  
Social Media Platform ◽  
Message Length ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Media Platform

The language of Computer-mediated Communication (CMC) is known to deviate from standard language in many ways dictated by the characteristics of the medium in order to achieve brevity, speed as well as innovation. Together with the intrinsic features of CMC in general, the character limitation imposed by the popular social media platform, Twitter has triggered the use of a number of linguistic devices including shortening strategies in addition to unconventional spelling and grammar. Using two parallel corpora of English tweets written by Egyptians and non-Egyptians on a similar hashtag, the study attempts to compare the shortening strategies used in both datasets. A taxonomy for orthographic and morphological shortening strategies was adapted from Thurlow and Brown (2003) and Denby (2010) with particular focus on message length, punctuation, clipping, abbreviations, contractions, alphanumeric homophones and accent stylization. Given the scarcity of linguistic studies conducted on Egyptian tweets despite the vast amount of data they offer, the study compares the findings about tweets written by Egyptians in English as a foreign language to previous studies. The findings suggest that Egyptians tend to omit punctuation more frequently, whereas non-Egyptians favor abbreviations, contractions and clipped forms. The results also indicate that Twitter may be shifting towards longer messages while at the same time increasingly employing more shortening strategies. The study also reveals that character limitation is not the only factor shaping language use on Twitter since not all linguistic choices are governed by brevity of communication.

Using a Computer Bulletin Board in a Social Psychology Course

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold S. Kahn ◽  
Robert G. Brookshire
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Full Advantage ◽  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Bulletin Board ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Class Time ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Psychology Course

In this article, we first explore the nature of a computer bulletin board within the context of computer mediated communication, and then we describe and evaluate its use during three semesters of an undergraduate course in social psychology. Results suggest that a computer bulletin board can boost student computer literacy, increase class time available for lecture/discussion, save time and money on reproducing and distributing materials, permit more materials to be distributed to students, and allow students easier access to their instructor. However, most students failed to take full advantage of the bulletin board. Reasons for this are discussed.

The interaction between Mandarin Chinese and English

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley Ching-yu Hsieh ◽  
Mei-Rong Wang ◽  
Meg Ching-yi Wang
Keyword(s):  
Mandarin Chinese ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Hardware ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Bulletin Board ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Hybrid Language ◽  
Online Bulletin Board ◽  
Chinese And English

This paper explores the linguistic and interactional properties of computer-mediated communication in Taiwan. We collected data from messages posted asynchronously on Internet websites. The three primary sources of messages were, in volume order, online Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs), chatrooms, and MSN messenger. We identify innovative uses of English and Mandarin Chinese hybrids, examine their function, and examine the online interlocutors’ ideologies when using them. Because of computer hardware and software, English plays an essential role even in a Mandarin-dominant online discourse by offering English expressions, words, pronunciations, and Roman letters to give loanwords, euphemisms, abbreviations, sentence-final particles, and emoticons in unique ways. The resultant hybrid language forms are easier to type, playful, funny, friendly, and trendy. The writer’s personality and cultural mentality are disclosed in such communication. Many speakers are alarmed about the effects of this language practice — the online interaction between English and Mandarin Chinese — on the development of Chinese in Taiwan.

scholarly journals A pragmatic analysis of humour strategies and functions in 'Jenifa's Diary' and 'Professor JohnBull'

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 20-34
Author(s):  
Adesina B. Sunday ◽  
Ganiu A. Bamgbose
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Situation Comedies ◽  
Stand Up Comedy ◽  
Pragmatic Analysis ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Discourse Functions

Studies on humour in Nigeria have been extensively carried out from the perspectives of stand-up comedy and computer-mediated communication. There is a dearth of scholarly enquiries on humour in situation comedies (sitcoms). This paper investigates humour in the interactions of characters in Jenifa’s Diary and Professor JohnBull, with a view to accounting for the manifestations of humour, the humour strategies deployed and the functions that the humorous utterances serve in the sitcoms. The work is situated in Culpeper’s Impoliteness Theory. Eight excerpts from the sitcoms were subjected to pragmatic analysis. Two discourse functions of amusing and castigating are discovered in the data. The former serves the function of facilitating discourse and changing presumed power and status, while the latter serves the function of maintaining one’s own space and autonomy, and demanding respect. Allusion, parody, retort, tease, banter and putdown are the humour techniques employed in the sitcoms. The study corroborates the claim of earlier studies that humour in every sphere of language use serves certain functions beyond the interactional need to create amusement.

scholarly journals The Use of Politeness Strategies in Whatsapp Discussions about Sensitive Topics

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junita Junita
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
The Past ◽  
Sensitive Topics ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
The Feminine ◽  
Politeness Strategies

The studies about language use in the past several years showed the existence of gender inequalities. According to Lakoff (1975), women are pressured to show the feminine qualities of weakness and frequently subordinate status toward men in a male-dominated society. However, nowadays, women's position in society is equal to men's position. The evidence that women are now equal to men invites the writer to study men's and women's language features and the politeness strategies used by men and women, especially in CMC (Computer-Mediated Communication). This study was a Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) study used to describe the meaning of qualitative data systematically. The result did not align with the previous studies: it showed that women were also aggressive when giving an argument, and politeness strategies were not the most used in the forum discussion; it was bald of record instead. In sum, Herring's (1993) features of women's and men's language were not valid in this study, and some of them need to be revised. Further studies about politeness strategies in CMC should be explored more.

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