March 5, 2003

Internet discourse

The study of "Electronically-Mediated Communication", or "EMC", is a growing field. Channels and modes of communication which have been introduced within the last 30 years or so in the context of the Internet have rapidly developed a new set of linguistic conventions and usages. The first version of the "Jargon File" (published as the New Hacker's Dictionary), a guide to internet-speak, was distributed in 1975.

When considering the nature of Internet discourse, it is relevant to consider how long the various modes have existed. None have been around for more than 30 years (ARPAnet was founded in 1969; E-mail was introduced in 1972; the term "Internet" was coined in 1982; the first Web browser was introduced in 1993. See Hobbes' Internet Timeline).

Internet discourse is not homogenous. Various different communication technologies have different functional characteristics and thus result in different linguistic practices. It's also true, though, that practices that have evolved in one genre often spill over into others.

E-mail

Introduced on ARPAnet in 1972. Rapidly became by far the most common application (75% of net traffic in 1973).

E-mail resembles "traditional" written discourse more closely than any other genre considered here: specifically, a letter. However, there are some differences:

• Participants: E-mail is typically conceived as a private message between one sender and one receiver. However, e-mail is much easier to copy, forward, and send to multiple participants than a letter; and like all internet communication, it's also not really private (it's stored on various computers in the process of transmission, where others can access it).
• Structure: e-mail has parts that a letter doesn't have, most importantly a subject field.
• Function: Perhaps since e-mail is faster to send and receive than a paper letter, it tends to be less formal. For instance, There's a much wider range of possible salutations ("Dear ...") and closings ("Sincerely ...").

Mailing Lists ("LISTSERVs")

A mailing list is basically software for maintaining a list of e-mail addresses, and sending messages to the whole group. Mailing lists were introduced in 1975, and are still widespread, especially among academics (who tend to use them rather than newsgroups). The first "Internet communities" developed through mailing lists.

• Participants: One sender, multiple recipients.
• Structure: Like e-mail.
• Function: List participants are sometimes members of the same profession, thus they may have an ongoing relationship. Regardless, communities develop rapidly with distinctive linguistic practices and preferences, which vary from one list to another.

Newsgroups etc.

"Newsgroups", or the "Usenet", were introduced in 1979. Newsgroups are basically similar to mailing lists, except they require special software to access (a "newsreader"), and related messages may be presented together in "threads". In the 80s, "bulletin boards" emerged (basically the same as newsgroups, but since they were accessible by dial-up modems, they were independent of the Internet); in the 90s, web-based discussion forums and message boards emerged with largely similar functions. (Most of the Usenet is archived on the Web at deja.com.)

Newsgroups rapidly develop into "virtual communities" with distinct cultures, practices, and politics, all enforced by members through various linguistic behaviors.

• Participants: One sender, multiple recipients.
• Structure: Like lists, except that related messages may be grouped into "threads".
• Function: Like lists.

Chat

I use the term "chat" here to refer to any online typed communication that occurs in real time. This form of online communication probably originated with "MUDs" or "Multi-user Dungeons", introduced in 1979. Today, there are two principle versions: chatrooms, which involve many-to-many communication, and IM/ICQ messaging, which involves one-to-one communication.

• Participants: One-to-one (like e-mail or a phone call), or one-to-many (like a newsgroup).
• Structure: Typically, one line is visible at a time. In chatrooms, it may be necessary to name an addressee.
• Function: Real-time nature makes this the most unique of Internet genres. Widespread use of simplification on the one hand (abbreviation, ommission of capitals, punctuation etc.), and elaboration on the other hand (expressive use of spelling, actions, emoticons etc.)