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two main uses of language in cyberspace –

construction and communication (Cicognani
Lecture 3 1998)

construction - language practices in
software programming

communication - language practices in the
use of the media

language practices in the use of the media

 adapt to the limitations of the media

constraints of real-time interaction
 modified to make up for loss of conventional
F2F communicative cues

lack of non-verbal cues (hand and facial

diversity of linguistic style in CMC (Crystal 2001) gestures, body language, voice etc)
encourages
language intensity
verbal immediacy
lexical diversity

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in effect a text-based interactive discourse
(Herring 1996)

but it does not display the characteristics of
prototypical conventional print genres
(Bordia 1996, Herring 1996)

‘hybrid’ nature primarily because it is "a
combination of written and oral styles of
communication" (Bordia, 1996: 150).
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“typed, and hence like writing, but exchanges
are more often rapid and informal, and hence
more like spoken conversation” (Herring,
1996: 3).

often takes on those features of spoken
language which emphasize spontaneity and
informality

demonstrates a mix of features drawn from
characteristics of both oral and written
discourse (Mejias 2004)

demonstrates a mix of features drawn from

prototypically spoken and

prototypically written media

trend is towards a more informal "spoken"
style of writing

significant at the paralinguistic level –
measures and means developed to represent
effects that are possible in F2F interaction
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Orthography
non-standard but phonetic spelling of words

Vocabulary
teenzz (teens)

Grammar
wot (what)

Discourse
dunno (don’t know)

‘text speak’ – speed writing

Paralinguistic and graphic features

thx (thanks)

4 (for)

2 (to)

lack of capitalization

i’ll

Typographical marks and paralinguistic cues

informal – gonna

word-blends - brangelina

use of interjections

Ugh

Phew

Ummm

Ack

Abbreviations and acronyms

ROTLMAO, LOL, IMO, IMHO, TIIC

Text emphases –

Multiple letter – pleeeeese

Markers - exclamation, question, stars, dots
he can "sing" - albeit whiny and nasaly
singing isn't even a talent anymore - any old chav can do it...!!!
Cheryl Cole..........*cough cough*
Pete is not a fantastic singer, but is Pavarotti compared to "singers“ like
Biffa..

Smileys, emoticons, typographical symbols
 According to this article, George Michael apparently left his London
home in the night, leaving his door open
 According to The Mirror he is seeing make-up artist Mezghan
Hussainy. Well, this is a surprise. I thought LGBT artists would be
more his scene. I wonder if Max Clifford knows.

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Group solidarity - linguistic choices can
appear to be aimed at reducing social
distance and emphasizing group membership

“collectives of authors/readers can weave
online discourses through hyperlinks”
(Mejias 2004)

Author of one online text can link to other
texts
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two characteristics that make online
discourse significant and unique (Mejias,
2004)

hypertextuality

distributed discursivity

the way that participants’ own online texts
and responses can be disseminated and
distributed widely and quickly

Example: discussion board messages
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Both hypertextuality and distributed
To be cont’

discursivity are significant because

lines between author and reader are blurred

“everyone is an “author”

Available at:
http://ideant.typepad.com/ideant/files/mejias_online_
discourse.pdf