Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the technology-mediated forms of communication that de-center face-to-face communication, such as is seen in the text messaging and instant messaging modes of communication. The paper then shows how this de-centering of face-to-face communication impacts language use and language structure. The paper provides the writer's personal opinions on the effects that this mode of communication has.

From the Paper:

"In general, this finding mirrors my own experience of instant messaging in that it is a useful mode of rapid communication while multi-tasking but it is highly limited. For example, one can be writing a paper, researching articles in online databases, while chatting back and forth with friends on MSN or one of the other popular instant messaging networks. As one may gather from this use, primary concentration is focused upon other tasks, so quick notes or comments of one or two lines of instant messaging that can be rapidly understood and responded to represents the ideal mode of communication here. Longer and more complex messages necessarily demand more time and energy in interpretation and response; time and energy that is diverted from the primary task one is often involved with. Research tends to support this point of view, and suggests that even among young and experienced instant messengers there is a high degree of frustration with discussion threads that may be long and complicated (An and Frick 493)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• An, Yun-jo and Frick, Theodore. "Student Perceptions of Asynchronous Computer-Mediated Communication in Face-to -Face Courses." Journal of Computer Mediated Communication. 11 (2006), 485-499.
• Baron, N. "Letters by Phone or Speech by Other Means: The Linguistics of Email." Language and Communication. 18 (1998), 133-170.
• Danesi, M. A Basic Course in Anthropological Linguistics. Toronto: Canadian Scholar's Press, 2004.
• Erickson, T. "Persistent Conversation: An Introduction." Journal of Computer Mediated Communication. 4.4 (1999), 44- 59.
• Ferrara, K., Brunner, H., and Whittemore, G. "Interactive Written Discourse as an Emergent Register." Written Communication. 8.1. (1991), 8-34.

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