Internet Chat Discourse

Nashwan Mustafa Al-Sa, Dr.; Ati,

	Internet Chat Discourse
Journal of Tikrit University for the Humanities
Article 1, Volume 14, Issue 4, 2007, Pages 460-485
Authors
Dr. Nashwan Mustafa Al-Sa;
Abstract
Abstract This paper presents a discoursal study of fifteen minute-synchronous public Internet chat used among strangers in Yahoo Messenger chatrooms. It also tries to draw a comparison with face-to-face everyday conversation. Some features are investigated, mainly opening and closing phases, turn-taking system, repair, non-verbal language, self- referencing, topic organization, etc. The study hypothesizes that chat discourse has unique features. Despite this uniqueness, it has much in common with face-to-face spoken conversation. The study has shown that chat discourse has specific features presenting it as a unique type of conversations. The main of these features is that there is a lack in showing immediate emotional states and paralinguistic cues. So, participants compensate such a gap through using emoticons, typing in a certain style and adopting explicit addressing. Second, there is in general disrupted turn adjacency. Third, participating in multiple topics simultaneously is noted. The study has also shown that chat discourse resembles spoken conversation. Such resemblance is reflected, for example, in the rapidity and informality of both media. Moreover, conversations of both types start and close by using specific signals. In maintaining the conversation, one person speaks at a time and participants use some follow-up cues to show their interest in what others say. In addition, self- and other- repairs are noted. Finally, certain topic types are realized, in which there is a clear ending or a topic shift.

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