Introduction
It is natural to conceive of text first and foremost as conversation: as the spontaneous interchange of meaning in ordinary everyday interaction. It is in such contexts that reality is constructed in the microsemiotic encounters of daily life. (Halliday 1978:40)
This thesis explores the on-line interactive environment, its departure from the culture of a print milieu, and its implications for both readers and writers. As chatrooms and discussion groups grow in popularity, analyzing these environments becomes increasingly important.
Internet conversation, whether in chatrooms, Instant Messenger, or discussion groups, involves two paradigm shifts: from print to computerization and from traditional discourse to new forms of digital interaction. This study examines these shifts, focusing on the hybrid nature of electronic conversational analysis.
Current Modes of On-line Communication
The research focuses on three primary modes of online communication:
- Chatrooms: Real-time, multi-user environments where multiple conversations occur simultaneously.
- Discussion Groups: Threaded, asynchronous conversations that are more controlled and textual.
- Instant Messenger: Real-time, one-on-one communication that blends spontaneity with text.
Chatrooms
Chatrooms are multilogue environments where multiple voices interact simultaneously, creating a chaotic yet rich field for discourse analysis. This study proposes a new transcription protocol to capture these interactions, using symbols to indicate topic changes, retrograde speech, and participant interactions.
Example analysis includes coding interactions such as retrograde references (e.g., 4Ù1) and topic shifts (e.g., #5). The pluri-semantic model (Eggins and Slade, 1997) is used to analyze ideational, interpersonal, and textual meanings in chatroom conversations.
Discussion Groups
Discussion groups provide a contrast to chatrooms, offering more structured and textual interactions. This study monitors three groups: a psychological astrology group, a philosophical Neo-Tech group, and a Bohm Dialogue group. These groups highlight the diversity of online discourse, from social chat to disciplined dialogue.
The Bohm Dialogue group, in particular, explores the challenges of conducting meaningful dialogue via email, emphasizing the need for new analytical tools in digital communication.