I <3 U: Expressing emotion and context online
Mediated communication describes the use of tools and technology to communicate and record information across time and space. In 2014, perhaps the most common form is Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) or “netspeak” (Crystal, 2006: 27). Not quite writing, not quite speech, CMC takes elements from both and also employs new techniques for us to engage with the world, each other and ourselves (Baym, 2010).
Many researchers have claimed that the increase in CMC will eventually lead to overall impoverishment of communication, for example due to the decay of the human language, the reclusive nature of the internet or the inadequacy of online interactions that fail to have verbal and non-verbal cues such as body language and rhythm of conversation. To the contrary, Nancy Baym argues that a “communication imperative” pushes us to use new media for interpersonal purposes and come up with creative ways to work around online barriers, rather then submit ourselves to a content- and emotion-less communication experience (2010).
There are four obvious methods Internet users have created to add context to online social experiences which include emoticons, adapted language, hashtags and audio-visual cues.
Emoticons can best be described as graphic signs used to indicate an emotional state. Two of their key uses are to:
a) eliminate ambiguities, for example clarifying sarcasm; and
b) build rapport, often in the workplace or with strangers of acquaintances in social media contexts.
Twitter recently acknowledged how important emoticons are to online communication and actually made their platform Emoji compatible.
Language adaptations are also incredibly common, particularly in mediums which require brevity, like mobile texting or Twitter. Abbreviations such as ‘lol’, symbols like <3 to depict a love heart, or use of caps lock can convey complex emotions in just a short word or phrase, instantly providing framework to online messages.
Hashtags play a key part in the searchability and identity of online users. They can be topical such as #auspol, or non-topical, such as emotive hashtags like #fail. Hashtags can increase visibility to posts, allow users to define how they want their photo or tweet to be interpreted, as well as determine the terms on which it will be accessed. This kind of categorisation can give rise to a feeling of community or network and connect users with likeminded people.
For example, a quick glance of the “paleo” hashtag on Instagram immediately brings up almost two million photos of food, recipes, selfies and personal stories related to the lifestyle practice.Similarly, the trending tag on Twitter is #coachella, which is a music festival currently on in California.
By including that tag in a tweet, Twitter users can immediately:
join the conversation
read and hear about audience reactions
get real time photos and videos from the event
refine their search by only looking at "news" articles
Even if you are solitary in your own home, this could hardly be described as reclusive behaviour when considering the ability to interact with millions is a mouse click away. Hashtags are a simple way of expressing what you want to talk about, and make it easy to find like-minded communities or topics that you’re interested in.
The final common method for adding context to CMC is the use of audio-visual cues such as uploading pictures on Facebook, sending a Snapchat or broadcasting a Vine. Probably the most prevalent technique, it is hard to argue that the Internet has caused us to be ‘disembodied’ when Facebook profile pictures follows users wherever they post, comment or chat. Skype is another obvious example that allows users to transcend the online barriers of time and space to fill their emotional needs and provide intimacy (Valentine, 2006). Whether it be parents skyping a child overseas, or perhaps a father skyping his family while he is away in combat, the audio-visual aspects allows physical bodies to become more visible and more spontaneity and instanteity to be achieved.
Despite the lack of traditional verbal and non-verbal cues, technology users have created new techniques convey social and emotional contexts online and engage with the world, each other and with themselves.. Much of this digital language depends on the mode used, the purpose, the norms of the group and the styles of participants offline (Baym, 2010: 63), however the more universal techniques discussed above are the most important in creating online connection and expression.
References
Baym, Nancy. 2010. “Ch 3: Communication in Digital Spaces.” In Personal Connections in the Digital Age, 50-70. Cambridge MA: Polity Press
Crystal, David. 2006. “Ch 2: The Medium of Netspeak.” In Language and the Internet. 2nd ed, 26-65. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Sauter, Theresa, April 03, 2014. “Week 6 – New Media Communication.” Accessed April 6, 2014. http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/
Valentine, Gill. (2006) ‘Globalizing Intimacy: The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Maintaining and Creating Relationships’, Women’s Studies Quarterly 34(1/2): 365-394