The linguistic capacity of the internet is provided by a set of characters on a keyboard. Naturally, that suggests that certain traditional linguistic activities can be facilitated, while others cannot.
There are several differences between written and spoken language. One of them is that the former gives the opportunity to the reader to re-read, and therefore, analyze the meaning of the written words. On the other hand, spoken language is characterized by spontaneity and free construction.
Another difference is the inability of written speech to imitate facial expressions or gestures which, in my opinion, is one of the most important features of face-to-face interactions. Not being able to see the other person’s facial expressions may cause that same person to be viewed as distant or lacking joyfulness. Then again it might be the opposite, when a person who is not in the best mood, easily hides his true emotions behind the way he interacts through this modality.
The absence of signal reactions which is when we tactlessly and quickly respond; prosodic features which refers to our tone and rhythm of speech; and comment clauses such as “you know” and “you see”, are some other reasons why online interactions can be seen as blunt, rude, or distant.
In my experience, lots of what is non-verbally expressed in everyday interactions, gets lost in the context of social networking. To give the simplest example: When one types “Hi! How are you?” and another reads it on a computer monitor, the many embellishments of daily conversation are missed.
Inevitably, technological and social changes make it necessary for new and innovative ways of social interaction to emerge and evolve, but it is important for us to understand that sometimes these methods de-emphasize traditional markers of identity and prevent us from freely expressing ourselves.
Daniela Philippou – Mediazone Administrative assistant
