Doing business and constructing identities through small talk in workplace instant messaging

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 559-583
Author(s):  
Bernie Chun Nam Mak
Keyword(s):  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Multiple Identities ◽  
Computer Work ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Small Talk ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Instant Messenger ◽  
Work Affect

Abstract This paper describes how bilingual colleagues living in Hong Kong make small talk in instant messaging to achieve various business-oriented goals and construct multiple identities in the discursive process. Guided by James Paul Gee’s revised framework of discourse analysis, the analyses evidenced that, overall, colleagues use small talk in instant messages to maintain minimal ties with distant partners, fill in silence during computer work, affect informal decision-making at work, and to diffuse useful surrounding information into business talk. These instances interplay with different affordances provided by the gadgets in the instant messenger interfaces. Such creative usage, together with the perceived nature of online interaction and instant messaging, results in multiple and turbulent identities circulating in the broader context of workplace discourse. The article concludes by arguing that computer-mediated communication has offered participants an emerging modus of interacting socially, beyond the physical and psychological constraints of time and space.

Identity Theories and Technology

2013 ◽  
pp. 26-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Andrew Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Communication Theory ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Role Play ◽  
Multiple Identities ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Virtual Identity ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Modern Identity

Modern identity has been shaped by technology, which has in turn shaped theories in understanding identity. How one communicates who they are to others is given limitless possibilities by the advent of the Internet and computer-mediated environments. Thus, identity theory today must take into account computer-mediated communication theory and research. Such research indicates four ways in which identity is affected by technology. First, researchers have discussed the differences between an individual’s true identity and the virtual identity he or she presents, via self-selected text and images, to an online world. Second, researchers have discussed how the Internet can provide both protective anonymity for those who seek it and cathartic disclosure for those who need it. Third, researchers have discussed ways in which users pursue both reflective virtual lives online and role-play with identities, often multiple identities. Fourth, researchers have conducted experiments that reflect the impact that virtual identity has on the practice of communication and the impact communication has on the presentation of the self.

The systematization and typology of the instant messaging writing system used by young Israeli Arabs

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Habib ◽  
Dennis Kurzon
Keyword(s):  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Writing System ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Israeli Arabs ◽  
Roman Script

This study investigates a new writing system based on the Roman script that has been used by Israeli Arabs in Israel for about ten years. This system is associated with instant messaging (IM); people usually use it when sending SMSs or when utilizing any of the computer-mediated communication forms, such as Messenger. The paper focuses on the systematization and the typology of this writing system based on data collected from about 40 participants studying in the same school. The results show that most of the participants have used this system systematically, and that this system can be classified as a developing alphabet.

Disclosure Decisions in Existing Relationships Online

2011 ◽  
pp. 2179-2206
Author(s):  
Kathryn Greene ◽  
Kate Magsamen-Conrad
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Relationship Maintenance ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Relationship Initiation ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Disclosure Decisions ◽  
Instant Messenger

Use of mediated channels of communication, such as email and instant messenger, is rapidly increasing, especially with adolescents and college-aged populations. This increase may alter interpersonal relationship maintenance strategies and communication patterns. The role of mediated channels of communication in some types of relationship initiation is well documented however, research investigating use within existing relationships is more limited. Self-disclosure is an important part of relationship maintenance, both in the initial stages of development as well as in existing relationships. This chapter explores motivations for disclosure through computer mediated communication (CMC) in pre-existing relationships and describes theoretical perspectives to advance examination of this area. Examples presented indicate four primary motivations for disclose through computer mediated communication: self, other, relationship, and situational/environmental. Further, we propose several codes within each primary reason, many of which diverged from traditional motivations for FtF disclosure. Implications and future directions for interpersonal CMC research are discussed.

IM's Growth, Benefits, and Impact on Communication

2011 ◽  
pp. 804-814
Author(s):  
Sarah Rofofsky Marcus
Keyword(s):  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Synchronous Communication ◽  
Written Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Pros And Cons

This chapter introduces synchronous, one-on-one, computer mediated communication. A discussion then is presented on the growth of typewritten, synchronous communication, beginning with the Tele- Typewriter/Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TTY/TDD), and how instant messaging (IM) can benefit those who are deaf, and also others who wish to communicate rapidly without the use of a telephone or face-to-face (f2f) communication. Besides discussing benefits of synchronous, text-based, one-on-one communication, this chapter will also address the downfall to the written communication caused by the overuse of abbreviations and emoticons that is coming into regular use outside of the IM environment. After the author examines the pros and cons of CMC via IM, implications of the growth of CMC via IM are considered.

Disclosure Decisions in Existing Relationships Online

2010 ◽  
pp. 48-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Greene ◽  
Kate Magsamen-Conrad
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Relationship Maintenance ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Relationship Initiation ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Disclosure Decisions ◽  
Instant Messenger

Use of mediated channels of communication, such as email and instant messenger, is rapidly increasing, especially with adolescents and college-aged populations. This increase may alter interpersonal relationship maintenance strategies and communication patterns. The role of mediated channels of communication in some types of relationship initiation is well documented however, research investigating use within existing relationships is more limited. Self-disclosure is an important part of relationship maintenance, both in the initial stages of development as well as in existing relationships. This chapter explores motivations for disclosure through computer mediated communication (CMC) in pre-existing relationships and describes theoretical perspectives to advance examination of this area. Examples presented indicate four primary motivations for disclose through computer mediated communication: self, other, relationship, and situational/environmental. Further, we propose several codes within each primary reason, many of which diverged from traditional motivations for FtF disclosure. Implications and future directions for interpersonal CMC research are discussed.

scholarly journals Linguistic Style Accommodation Shapes Impression Formation and Rapport in Computer-Mediated Communication

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 525-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Muir ◽  
Adam Joinson ◽  
Rachel Cotterill ◽  
Nigel Dewdney
Keyword(s):  
Low Power ◽  
Impression Formation ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Linguistic Style ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Power Role ◽  
Interpersonal Impressions

Communication accommodation theory predicts that social power plays an important role in influencing communicative behaviors. Previous research suggests these effects extend to linguistic style, thought to be a nonconscious aspect of communication. Here, we explore if these effects hold when individuals converse using a medium limited in personal cues, computer-mediated communication. We manipulated social power in instant messaging conversations and measured subsequent interpersonal impressions. Low power induced greater likelihood of linguistic style accommodation, across between- (Study 1) and within-subjects (Study 2) experiments. Accommodation by those in a low-power role had no impact on impressions formed by their partner. In contrast, linguistic style accommodation by individuals in a high-power role was associated with negative interpersonal impressions formed by their lower power partner. The results show robust effects of power in shaping language use across computer-mediated communication. Furthermore, the interpersonal effects of linguistic accommodation depend on the conversational norms of the social context.

Enregistering internet language

2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Squires
Keyword(s):  
Language Ideology ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Standard English ◽  
Technological Determinism ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Language Variety ◽  
Academic Scholarship ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Standard Language Ideology

AbstractThis article investigates the enregisterment of an internet-specific language variety and its features. The enregisterment of internet language is explored through several sites of metadiscourse: academic scholarship about computer-mediated communication, uses of the metalinguistic termsnetspeakandchatspeakin print media, and online comment threads about language and the internet. This metadiscourse provides evidence of a shared concept of internet language as comprising distinctive written features, primarily acronyms, abbreviations, and respellings. Internet language's enregisterment emerges from standard language ideology and deterministic views of technology, where the construal of these features as both nonstandard and internet-specific articulates the perceived distinctiveness of internet interactions. Yet empirical evidence shows that these features are relatively rare in instant messaging conversations, one form of interaction to which internet language is attributed; this discrepancy has implications for the application of indexical order to enregisterment. (Enregisterment, language ideology, computer-mediated communication, internet, metadiscourse, indexical order, Standard English, technological determinism, mass media)*

scholarly journals “Netlect” in Albanian: The Social Network Variety

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 101-105
Author(s):  
Rrahman Paçarizi
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Cognitive Approach ◽  
Language Variety ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
The Social

Abstract Instant messaging, texting, or even Computer Mediated Communication are the terms used to refer to communication in social networks. These terms are not the most appropriate ones because the technology and platforms of this way of communication have evolved rapidly. Since this communication is widespread, there is a need to have a much more standardized communication in terms of the language variety used for it. Having in mind various principles of socio cognitive approach in terminology, the study aimed to build a new appropriate term in this regard. Having in mind all the circumstances and the scale of standardization of this way of communication, I think that the best term that fits it is “Netlect”. This is done in order to include, using the same word, the name of the platform where this communication is being developed (net) and the paradigm for linguistic variety (lect), as in socio+lect, dia+lect etc. The case of Albanian and other languages goes in favour of this term because we are talking about “a language variety that never existed before”, as Ferrara, Brunner, and Whittemore stated earlier in 1991.

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