EL 411

COMPUTER-MEDIATED
COMMUNICATION
 Lesson 2: Introduction to
Computer- Mediated
Communication

Topi
c1 Overview of CMC and its Significance
Computer-Mediated Communication
 At its broadest, CMC can encompass virtually all computer uses
including such diverse applications as statistical analysis
programs, remote-sensing systems, and financial modelling
programs, all fit within the concept of human communication
(Santoro, 1995).

 A process of human communication via computers, involving

people, situated in particular contexts, engaging in processes to
shape media for a variety of purposes (December, 1997).

 Communication that takes place between human beings via the

instrumentality of computers (Herring, 1996).
(while the ‘computer’ is part of the acronym, CMC can occur using
smartphones and tablets as well; essentially communication is
electronically sent and received via technological devices that perform
as computers)

So, although CMC is defined by Santoro, December and Herring as

being as encompassing as the applications and impacts of computer
and digital technologies are wide, in practice, CMC is usually
concerned more specifically with human interpersonal communication
on, through, and about the internet and web.

Core concepts
1. Communication (dynamic, transactional, multifunctional,
multimodal)

Dynamic- simple model of communication

(sender>message>receiver) oversimplifies communication
to the rather static exchange of information Instead,
communication is better understood as a process which is
much more dynamic. The meaning of messages does not
reside in words, but is much more fluid and dependent on
the context, shifting constantly from place to place, from
person to person, and from moment to moment.
Example: ‘wicked’ and ‘gay’ have changed over time; the word
‘kiwi’, where, without contextual information, it’s impossible
to know whether this is meant to mean a bird, a fruit or a New
Zealander

 Transactional - communication is really about the

negotiation of meaning between people; communication is
constantly changing as two (or more) people interpret
each other and are influenced by what the other says.
  Multifunctional - communication may be used to influence
people’s behavior or attitudes, to inform people, to seek
information, to exert control over people, to befriend or
seduce people, to entertain and please people, and so on.

 Multimodal- Verbal messages always come packaged with

other messages (or ‘metamessages’) formed by different
ways of making meaning - what are usually called
nonverbal modes of communication. The range of
nonverbal codes is vast and accounts for much of the
social information people glean:
Example: vocal (e.g. tone of voice, accent, volume, pauses),
movement (e.g. facial expression, gestures, posture),
physical appearance (e.g. height, weight, skin colour),
artefacts (e.g. lighting, decor, fashion), and use of space
(e.g. body orientation, touch, distance)

2. Mediated (to convey or transmit something or to act as a

medium for something)

Mediation is simply the process or means by which something is

transmitted. Scholars usually identify several layers of
contextual variables which influence - or mediate -
communication (e.g. psychological, social, cultural).

In the case of CMC, another more material layer of mediation is

added, namely technological mediation. It’s at this point that
another common meaning of the word medium comes into play -
or more correctly its plural form media - as ‘the means by which
news and information are communicated’ (Chambers’ Twenty-
First Century' Dictionary’)

However, CMC usually restricts what it means by technology to

the machinery designed, built and used for the purposes of
information exchange and communication

3. Computer
Almost everything nowadays involves computers in some way or
other, and, consequently, almost everything people do is in
some way or other mediated by computers.
Example: Digital technology drives telephone exchanges, brings
television channels into homes, tells time and so on; things as
video conferencing, webcams and voice recognition,
technological changes are taking people nearer and nearer to
 the kind of face-to-face (or just FtF) communication everyone
has been used to all along

Characteristics of CMC:
A. Types of computer-mediated communications
 Synchronous -online at the same time and communicating in
real time
Examples: video conferencing and instant messaging

 Asynchronous -allows participants to post whenever they

want to and saves the postings so that individual
participants can view them later
Examples: email, surveys, newsgroups
B. Text-based and Multimodal CMC
 Text- based CMC– based on written communication (can be
synchronous and asynchronous) like texting or chatting, blogs
and email
 Multimodal CMC- supplementing traditional text-based with
other channels of communication (combination of text,
images, audio, video and other interactive elements

C. Anonymity
 messages may be identifiable to one party in an interaction
but anonymous to another
 the sender perceives herself/himself as anonymous to the
receiver
 receivers cannot distinguish the sender

Importance of CMC in today's digital landscape

In the past, one has to physically track people down or someone else
has to do it. Today, people get more options. They can send a text, an
email, post on their wall or reach out to them in any number of ways
such as sending a video message or video chat.

The evolution of communication has made extensive use of the

computer as a medium, resulting in a huge change in the way
common people communicate. This type of rapid communication
spread rapidly throughout the world, enabling people to communicate
with people from all over the world. It is a potent tool that has altered
the way people live their daily lives, work, and learn.

CMC’s capacity is to support complex processes of participant

interaction. The possibilities for interaction and feedback are nearly
limitless in CMC.
Several Advantages
 does not depend on time and place - two communicating
individuals do not have to be present at the same or in the same
place time to communicate
 low cost- individuals can transmit data and messages instantly,
easily, inexpensively, and over long distances quickly
 ensures superior reach- CMC allows users to reach out to a large
number of receivers at the same time
 facilitates information archiving- previous conversations can be
archived for future reference
 Ensures instant feedback- Instant, fast feedback is possible via
synchronous CMC
 Breaks down communication barriers

Disadvantages
 Technological mediation can inhibit the communication process
- Unlike face-to-face communication, nonverbal cues such as
tone and physical gestures, which assist in conveying the
message, are lost through computer-mediated
communication. As a result, the message being
communicated is more vulnerable to being misunderstood
due to a wrong interpretation of tone or word meaning
 Virtual distance that is fundamental to computer-mediated
communication can create a psychological and emotional sense
of detachment, which can contribute to sentiments of societal
isolation

Significance of CMC in various contexts:

 Personal Communication
- choice of media through which one communicates is based on
the nature of relationship with the person or people

- individuals with closer relational ties (those who have more

network overlap) provide more social support, and are more
interdependent—use more channels to communicate and to
maintain those relationships (Haythornthwaite, 2002, 2005)

 Professional Communication
-The reality of the business world is that few professionals have
formal communication training, and those that do have, had
more training on formatting documents than thinking critically
about sending and receiving messages through mediated
channels

-Organizations need to develop comprehensive information

technology strategies that account for each tool’s respective
strengths and that keep the end user’s communication needs in
mind.
 -CMC technologies can be a crucial driver of organizational
success provided the right tools are put in the hands of
employees who know how to best utilize them
- Globally, 9 out of 10 (89%) organizational employees use social
collaboration tools to:
a. communicate with co-workers
b. connect with geographically dispersed staff
c. collaborate within teams and with outside departments
d. improve revenue, productivity, and engagement (Harvard
Business Review, 2018)

 Educational Settings
- Facebook, Twitter, SMS, and mobile applications can improve
communication among students, faculty, and administrators, as
well as serving as recruitment tools
- these services foster a sense of community and allows educators
to meet the students on their own ground, promoting the
students’ perception that the faculty and staff are interested in
them and in their educational progress

-Podcasting, videocasting, and screencasting are able to present

information in a variety of formats and can be particularly
helpful for students who are auditory and visual learners
(Rockinson-Szapkiw & Walker, 2009)

Topi
c2 Historical Context and Evolution of Digital
Communication

 “Computers” in its earliest use, referred to people who

performed massive numbers of calculations by hand or using a
tool like an abacus or slide ruler. As one can imagine, this
process was not exactly efficient and took a lot of human
resources.

 The first mechanical ancestor of today’s computer was created

in 1801 by a Frenchman named Joseph Marie Jacquard, who
created a loom that used punched wooden cards to weave
fabric. The idea of “punch cards” would be the basis of many
generations of computers up to the 1960s. Between 1801 and
the 1960s, many people worked to advance early computer
technology
 ● According to Thurlow et al. (2004), CMC has been around since
the first electronic digital computer was invented (some time
during World War II), or at least since the first recorded
exchange of prototype emails in the early 1960s.
● When computer networks were first designed in the 1960's, their
primary purpose was to facilitate the transfer of information
protocols between computers (Rheingold 1993; Licklider et al.
1968).
 The 1970s saw the start of the explosion of the personal
computer (e.g., the release of the Apple II line in 1977). In 1981,
IBM released the IBM PC, also known as the Acorn, which ran on
Microsoft DOS, which was followed up by Apple’s Lisa in 1983,
which had a graphic user interface. From that point until now,
Microsoft and Apple (Macintosh) have cornered the market on
personal computers.

 By the 1990’s, personal computers had sprouted like mushrooms

on the desks of office managers, schoolteachers, college
students, doctors, home makers, and so on.
Historically speaking, major developments in technology have found
communication being mediated in a number of revolutionary new
ways. This is why, in trying to understand CMC and new
communication technologies, it’s really helpful to have a sense of their
historical antecedents. Such major technological developments include
the printing press in the mid-fifteenth century, the telegraph in the
1840s, the telephone in the 1870s, and the television in the 1930s. At
each point, communication was transformed in some way by, for
example, enabling mass publication (in the case of the printing press)
and far greater speed and distance (in the case of the telegraph and
telephone).

Historical Milestones in the development of communication

technologies

 1837: The Telegraph

o Invented by Samuel Morse, revolutionized long-distance
communication.
o Used Morse code to transmit messages over wires.
 1876: The Telephone
o Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, allowing
voice communication over distances.
 1920s: Radio Broadcasts
 o Introduction of radio broadcasting, enabling real-time
audio communication and entertainment.
 1960s: The Internet's Foundations
o Development of ARPANET, the precursor to the modern
Internet, which allowed multiple computers to
communicate.
 1971: Email
o Ray Tomlinson sent the first email, paving the way for
digital messaging.
 1990s: The World Wide Web
o Tim Berners-Lee introduced the World Wide Web, making
information accessible through web pages and browsers.
 2000s: Social Media Emergence
o Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube transformed
personal and public communication.
 2010s-Present: Mobile Communication
o The rise of smartphones and mobile apps has made digital
communication instantaneous and portable.
Digital Communication
- is an electronic-based form of communication
The rapid development and dissemination of technologies in the
realms of entertainment, business, the workplace, community, and
education have dramatically redefined aspects of society.
Communication has been one of the most significant areas influenced
by the advancement of technology. From the days before telephone
and telegraph, to current Internet and cellular communication,
systems have changed the way individuals send and receive messages
and data. In recent years, the digital revolution has changed the
methods in which people seek information, both personally and
professionally, and also the methods that are used to disseminate that
information.
Traditional phone-based communication still exists and continues to be
an important part of society. However, email communication is quickly
becoming the main form of communication. Both email and instant
messaging allow people to reduce the time it takes to communicate
information to larger groups of people.

DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

cable television, pay television services, digital television, streaming
media, radio, satellites, multimedia computers, video games, the
internet and the web, internet commerce, office technologies, virtual
reality, home video, digital audio, telephony, wireless telephony,
broadband networks, distance learning (Thurlow et al., 2004).

Impact of Digital Communication

 Accessibility:
Digital communication has made information more accessible to
a global audience.
 Speed:
Messages can be sent and received in real-time, facilitating rapid
information exchange.
 Social Interaction:
Social media platforms have changed the way individuals
interact, share, and build communities.
 Business Transformation:
Digital communication has revolutionized marketing, customer
service, and remote work.

Future Trends
 Artificial Intelligence:
AI is being integrated into communication tools, enhancing user
experience through chatbots and virtual assistants.
 Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR):
These technologies are set to transform communication by
creating immersive experiences.
 5G Technology:
The rollout of 5G networks will enable faster and more reliable
communication on mobile devices.
Lesson 3: Types of
Computer-Mediated
Communication
 Topi Synchronous and Asynchronous
Communication
c 1

Computer-mediated communication has two types: synchronous and

asynchronous.
Instant messaging on mobile through WhatsApp, Google Chat, Skype,
and conferencing are examples of synchronous computer-mediated
communication.
Sending text messages like SMS, MMS, email, discussion forums on
various subjects,
and mailing lists are examples of asynchronous computer-mediated
communication

Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication (SCMC)

As the Internet grew and speed and infrastructure became more

established, synchronous CMC was developed, a mediated form of
communication in which the sender and receiver are concurrently
engaged in communication. When Person A sends a message, Person
B is receiving that message in real time, like they would in a face-to-
face (FtF) interaction.
The first synchronous mode of communication was the chatroom. In
1988, Jarkko “WiZ” Oikarinen wrote the code for the first Internet
Relay Chat (IRC) client and server at the University of Oulu, Finland.
IRC was initially started as a system to replace an existing BBS, but
WiZ realized that he had something completely different. With IRC,
individuals from around the world could login using an IRC Chat Client
(software on their computer), which would allow them to access a
server elsewhere in the world to interact with people in real time
(Figure 12.1.4). The invention of IRC led to the proliferation of
chatrooms throughout the 1980s and 90s
Benefits of Asynchronous Communication
 facilitates feedback in real-time
 immediate feedback helps in quick decision-making (e.g.,
business decisions can be taken immediately as team members
discuss the insights)

Disadvantage
 Participants need to be present during that certain time; internet
instability and unavailability can affect the attendance of an
individual

Asynchronous Computer- Mediated Communication

Some technologies are called asynchronous, a mediated form of
communication in which the sender and receiver are not concurrently
engaged in communication. When Person A sends a message, Person
B does not need to be on the computer at the same time to receive
the message. There could be a delay of hours or even days before that
message is received and Person B responds
Benefits of Asynchronous Communication
 receiver can respond when it’s comfortable for him
 gets enough time (in a team setting) to plan their response
 has delayed feedback (users can continue to focus on their job
and will not get distracted)
 can reply when prepared (different team members) can co-
ordinate and work out a strategy before replying.
Disadvantages
 (classroom setting) students’ output might not be original
 when an issue or problem occurs in workplace that needs
prompt action, asynchronous communication is not ideal for
getting the messages across
 nonverbal indicators like tone of voice and hand gestures are not
present (expressing or interpreting the message’s sentiment can
be challenging)
 Topi
c2 Overview of Communication Platforms

 Computer-mediated communication (CMC), wherein people use

computers and networks to communicate with one another,
makes communication across great distances and different time
zones convenient, eliminating the time and geographic
constraints of in-person communication.
 CMC facilitates the development of communities for people with
common interests, regardless of their physical locations. Using
electronic mail, text messaging, chat rooms, web-based forums,
and other technology to sustain meaningful relationships
between people who are geographically disconnected allows
people to reconsider the concept of community as a physical
location.

 EMAILS

Electronic mail or email is a means of sending messages, text, and

computer files between computers via the internet. It is by volume the
most popular written communication channel in the history of human
civilization. With emails being so cheap and easy to send on desktop
and laptop computers, as well as on mobile phones and tablets, a
staggering 280 billion emails are sent globally per day (Radicati,
2017).

Features of email
 formal/ informal
 automatic reply to messages
 auto-forward and redirection of messages
 facility to send copies of a message to many people
 automatic filing and retrieval of messages
 addresses can be stored in an address book and retrieved
instantly
 notification if a message cannot be delivered
 emails are automatically date and time stamped
 signatures can be attached
 files, graphics or sound can be sent as attachments, often in
compressed formats
 webmail and mobile email can be used to receive and send
messages while on the move

Advantages of email
  Inexpensive: Email is often free to use, which makes it an
inexpensive option for communication and marketing purposes.
Companies and organizations may pay for systems to automate
their email newsletters, but most email services are free.
 Space-saving: Using email instead of traditional mail can save
space and materials. For example, if you opt to receive bills via
email instead of traditional mail, you don't have as much paper
and material in your space.
 Simplistic: Email is often easy to use, even for those who aren't
completely familiar with other technology services.
 Organized: It can be simple to organize and tag different types
of emails to keep personal messages separate from official ones.
 Accessible: You can often use many devices to access the same
email, which can make it easy to access from many places. For
example, you may check your email on both your phone and
computer.
 Eco-friendly: Because email reduces the need for paper and
other mailing materials, it may be better for the environment.
 Efficient: It's much faster to send an email than it is to draft a
traditional letter, address it and put it in the mail. You can also
send one email to several people at once, which can save you
time.

Disadvantages

 Easy to send: Because email is simple and easy to send, you

may accidentally send one to the wrong person or without all the
information. Consider double-checking each message before
pressing send to avoid mistakenly sending an email.
 Nonverbal cues: Email is a written form of communication,
which means you can't often express nonverbal cues. Including
emoticons in a personal email or being specific about your
meaning can help you express your tone.
 Consistent access: The accessibility of email can make it
difficult to take time away from checking it. Consider turning off
notification from your professional email when out of the office.
 Security breaches: Depending on the emails, it may be
possible for outside entities to gain access to the information in
the messages. Consider investing in security services to avoid
this.
 Viruses and spam: Spam emails are repetitive emails designed
to mislead readers into giving away their money or personal
information. Learning about phishing and using a spam filter can
help you avoid these emails
__________________________________________________________
 CHATS (Real-time)/ INSTANT MESSAGING

Digital communication today has evolved to connect people from

across the globe with each other in an instant. One of the most
popular ways to communicate digitally is via real-time chat.
This efficient mode of communication is used for personal
communication, but also for business one.

Chat apps are redefining the present and future of short message
communications. The platforms offer a number of advanced features
that are not available in SMS texts, including typing indicators, read
receipts, group texts, and videos. They also provide a fast, safe, and
fun way to connect with friends, family, and colleagues.

The online learning market keeps expanding, so it is vital that digital

platforms offer the communication tools that their users need.
Nowadays, younger generations prefer to type instead of talking, and
that’s where chat messaging comes in. It is estimated that by 2025,
the number of mobile chat messaging tool users will exceed 3.5 billion.

Features (must-have) of Real-time Chat

 Messaging
-enables group conversations; omnichannel for customer service
 Storage
-retrieves previous conversations
 Message editing/ deleting
-allows users to edit or delete a shared message
 Audio & video call features
-have call features for convenience
 File sharing
-shares images, videos, audio files, and other formats is one of
the most desired features
 Enabling push notifications
- shows push notifications to engage users with a new message
or other updates, even if they are inactive

Advantages

 Expediency of communication
- helps facilitate short, sharp conversations and allow people to
share information quickly
 More visible than email
- captures peoples’ attention more quickly
 Easily connects people regardless of location
 - contacts a colleague and share ideas and information quickly,
in real time
 Easy to use
- requires very minimal technical skill, making them a
democratic communications tool in any workplace
Disadvantages
 Productivity issues with instant messengers
-can be used for gossiping; notifications can also still be just as
distracting as a phone call or incoming email
 Security issues with instant messengers
- could easily be intercepted or hacked by external parties; chats
conducted over an instant messenger can also be easily copied
and pasted and end up in the wrong hands
 Ineffective tool for mass communication
- become unwieldy and it can be hard for everyone to keep up
with the chat
 Problematic system for archiving
- some instant messenger systems won’t enable you to search
for previous conversations when you log in to a new session
 Cannot be controlled by management
- sends content to one another which might not be correct,
useful or constructive contradicting official information that
management is sending elsewhere

____________________________________________________
 SOCIAL MEDIA

-is a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas,

thoughts, and information through virtual networks and communities.
The social media platforms allow the digital users to communicate with
each other, have conversations, share information and create content.

From Facebook and Instagram to X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube,

more than 5 billion people use social media, equal to roughly 62% of
the world’s population. In early 2024, 94.7% of users accessed chat
and messaging apps and websites, followed closely by social
platforms, with 94.3% of users.

Different Forms of Social Media

There are many forms of social media which include blogs, micro-
blogs, wikis, social networking sites, photo sharing sites, instant
messaging, video-sharing sites, podcasts, virtual worlds and more
Social networking sites help people connect with each other. On
social networks, users can share their thoughts, form groups based on
their interests, curate content, upload photos/videos etc.
 Discussion forums
-Discussion forums are like hangout places where people
exchange ideas and answer the questions posted.
 -Examples of discussion forums: Reddit, Digg, Quora, Clubhouse
etc.,
 Image sharing networks
-These are the social media sites where people share photos and
related content.
-Examples of image sharing networks: Instagram, Flickr,
Photobucket
 Bookmarking networks
-Bookmarking networks are platforms where users save different
ideas, articles, posts and other content for later use.
-Examples of bookmarking networks: Feedly, Flipboard, Pinterest
etc.,
 Blogging and publishing networks
-These networks are a medium to publish your thoughts based
on your job, current events, hobbies and more.
-Examples of blogging and publishing networks: WordPress,
Facebook, Tumblr etc.,
 Consumer review networks
-These sites display customers' reviews of businesses.
-Examples of consumer review networks: TripAdvisor, Yelp,
Google My Business etc.,
 Video hosting platforms
-Video hosting platforms give independent filmmakers,
journalists and other creators a way for their audiences to
stream videos quickly and easily
-Examples of video hosting platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat,
Vimeo etc.,

Features of social media

 interactive internet-based platforms
 user-generated content such as text, posts, comments, digital
photos, videos, and data generated through all online
interactions
 users create service-specific profiles for the websites or apps
that are designed and maintained by the social media
organization
 helps increase online social networks by connecting a user's
profile with those of other individuals or groups.

Advantages

 Staying connected
- facilitates easy communication across geographical barriers
and time zones; allowing people to stay connected with friends,
family members, acquaintances, colleagues and even celebrities
seamlessly
 Access to News and Current Events
 - facilitates access to breaking news and helps people stay
informed on current events
 Platform for Personal Branding
-allows professionals to promote their skills, services,
accomplishments and products to a wider audience and build
their brand; Influencers leverage these channels to foster
thoughts, establish leadership and monetize their following
 Business and Marketing Opportunity
- provides a venue for increasing brand awareness through
promotions and engagement with customers
 Convenience and Ease of Access
- provides information accessibility, news and entertainment at
users' fingertips anytime and anywhere through their smart
devices
 Fosters Innovation and Learning
-diversity of views, ideas and latest innovations shared by
experts and thought-leaders channels sparks creativity among
users
 Provides Entertainment
-facilitates entertainment consumption
 Platform for Societal Change
-By enabling discussions and coordination on a mass scale,
social media has driven positive movements for societal change
like the Arab Spring revolution, anti-corruption protests in India
and the #MeToo campaign
 Promotes Skill Development
-platforms enable users to learn new skills by accessing
instructional videos, posts, and live streams on cooking, arts,
design, academics and more niche interests
 Supplement to Education
-students and academics actively use social networking
platforms for collaboration, knowledge sharing, accessing the
latest research and study resources as well as promoting
scientific initiatives; educators supplement classroom teaching
with social media tools for increased student engagement

Disadvantages
 Distraction and Loss of Productivity
-Obsessive social platform usage during work or study hours
leads to reduced productivity
 Spread of Misinformation
-Circulation of fake news, propaganda and unverified data
through viral posts and messages can misguide users.
 Compromise Privacy and Data Vulnerabilities
-Oversharing personal information and data thefts compromises
user privacy and exposes them to fraud.
  Promotes Superficial Connections
-The use of social networks to make fake connections rather than
meaningful relationships can be detrimental.
 Social Media Addiction
Excessive checking of notifications and mindless scrolling
creates addictive behavior impeding real-life relationships and
well-being.
 Enables Bullying and Harassment
-Trolling, public humiliation and harassment of individuals
including celebrities is made easy by anonymous accounts
 Promotes Social Isolation
-Spending excessive time on social networking can reduce in-
person interactions, communication and sociability leading to
isolation
 Causes Depression and Anxiety
Studies have revealed that social media usage is associated with
low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, especially among
teenagers
 Promotes Obsessive Self-Presentation
-Focusing excessively on presenting perfect selfies, and posts for
likes and comments triggers unrealistic comparisons with others
propagating anxiety
 Helps Spread Scams and Frauds
-Fake news, phishing attacks and Ponzi schemes can easily
spread through social channels causing financial fraud.

____________________________________________________
 FORUM (Online)

An online forum is an internet space structured around and dedicated

to conversation, usually through posting questions, answers, and
responses.

Online forums do not usually happen in real-time. Many popular

discussion forums are conversations that carry out over months and
even years, as users keep adding new input. By archiving past
responses and arranging posts (either in order of posting or by
popularity), a forum can host an engaging discussion that is carried
out over days, months, or even years.

Forums have a specific set of jargon associated with them; for

example, a single conversation is called a "thread", or topic.

Features

 encourage community interaction

 knowledge sharing
Advantages:

 Content
-Google (and other decent search engines) love content, so
having a forum with lots of people all contributing and adding
new posts and replies can generate enough content to really
push a site forward
 Visitor Retention
A forum gives visitors, clients and potential customers a reason
to return to a site, especially if they need help or advice on a
certain subject
 Commercial Opportunities
-by having more people and more returning visitors using the
site, it can immediately increase the chance of making a decent
income

Disadvantages:

 Moderation
-from petty arguments right the way through to dodgy posts and
naughty items, not everyone is expected to behave accordingly
 Spam
-a forum is just an open target for any spammer; there have
been some massive forums close or change the way they
operate due to spam
 Security Vulnerabilities
- it is important to review the forum setup before going live to
make sure any obvious loop holes are closed allowing the bad
guys in; regular update of software to avoid massive security
issues
 Lack of Posts
-have to consider how to get a forum active to avoid looking like
an empty site and actually putting visitors off of the site
Lesson 4: Linguistic Features of
CMC
Topi
c1 Characteristics of language in digital texts

 Informality - digital communication adopts a causal tone and

informal language
 Brevity- tendency shorter messages, including abbreviations
and acronyms
 Multimodality - use of images, emojis, and hyperlinks to
convey meaning
 Interactivity- digital texts allow for immediate feedback and
interaction

The new age of the internet has exerted quite a big impact on
every field of life and technology. Today, one can execute tasks
that were impossible to do so a few decades ago. Not only that,
the internet has opened doors for innovation and improvement
in all aspects of life, be it business, science, or technology. One
thing that the internet has affected strongly is language.

Digital platforms have become breeding grounds for new

linguistic forms and colloquialisms. The rapid dissemination of
internet memes, viral phrases, and hashtag campaigns
exemplifies this phenomenon. Online communities often develop
unique linguistic markers that signify group identity and
solidarity. These markers include innovative spellings,
neologisms, and the repurposing of traditional words with new,
context-specific meanings. Such linguistic innovations are not
only reshaping informal language but also gradually infiltrating
more formal contexts, challenging traditional norms of language
use.

Social media platforms and texting have introduced a paradigm

shift in language use, primarily by fostering a more
conversational style of writing that often blends traditional
linguistic boundaries. This hybrid style is characterized by a
mixture of informality, abbreviations, and the use of emojis and
GIFs to convey emotions and tone. The brevity and immediacy of
texting and social media posts encourage a more fluid, dynamic
form of language, which often borrows elements from both
informal and formal registers. This amalgamation has led to the
creation of a distinctive digital dialect, which is constantly
evolving with internet trends and user creativity

Digital platforms, including social media, online news, and blogs,

have become integral to daily life, fundamentally altering how
individuals communicate, socialize, and learn. Contractions,
abbreviations, emoticons, emojis, memes, screenshots, short
videos, and video calls have emerged as dynamic elements
shaping language styles. While enhancing communication
efficiency, immediacy, and emotional expression, these
elements also raise concerns about the potential erosion of
formality in digital communication.

Visual images play an increasingly important role in expressing

emotions and opinions, with emojis, memes, and screenshots
becoming a visual way of expressing feelings and empathy.
Digital media has also given rise to the widespread use of video
forms, with short videos and video calls becoming one of the
main ways of online socializing and information sharing.

This phenomenon has accelerated the shaping of language by

digital media and triggered the rise of more complex and three-
dimensional forms of communication. The emergence and
intervention of multimedia forms on digital platforms have also
become more frequent, and their forms have been transformed
and updated to some extent in line with the changing context of
the times. The rise of this form of media provides a more vivid
way of delivering information. It promotes the diversification of
linguistic expressions, making people pay more attention to the
role of emotional and visual elements in communication.

Although the internet language has contributed strongly to

making advancements in the field of business, science, and
technology possible, its contribution to the world of
languages is sometimes overlooked. Unconsciously, it has
changed the way people communicate with each other via the
internet, on social media platforms, and through emails.
However, while the effect has mostly been to “shorten” the
language, it has also made communication much faster and
easier than before.
 Topi
c2 Use of abbreviations, emojis, and informal
language

Digital platforms

Choosing the right digital platforms is essential for facilitating both

formal and informal communication. For formal communication, you
might use email, intranets, or project management tools that provide a
clear record of official interactions. Informal communication can thrive
on instant messaging apps or social networking tools designed for
quick exchanges and team bonding. The trick is to ensure that these
platforms are accessible and understood by all team members, so
everyone can communicate effectively in the appropriate context.

Digital communication influences tone and language

Digital communication has an influence on grammar and structure in

that it simplifies sentence structures, e.g. the use of shorter
sentences, less complex or incomplete sentences. There is a
significant increase in spoken language structures infiltrating the
written language. General changes in grammar, punctuation or
spelling are noticeable such as less attention to upper and lower case
or of punctuation. Endings are shortened or abbreviations are used
more often. With shorter attention span and influence from other
languages – mostly English on others – there is an increase in
neologisms or new words in almost all languages.

Several examples illustrate the dynamic nature of register adaptation

in English. For instance, consider the differences in greetings: "Hey,
what’s up?" (informal) versus "Good morning, how do you do?"
(formal). In business emails, a formal tone is preferred: "We are
pleased to inform you..." as opposed to the informal "Hey, guess
what?". Similarly, in academic writing, formal language prevails with
structured sentences and specific terminology, contrasting with the
more relaxed narrative style often found in personal blogs or
conversations.

On the Internet, English is the most frequently encountered and used

language, with many of its users using the language as a lingua franca
(i.e. language used as a common tongue between people of diverse
speech) (Crystal, 2006; Merriam-Webster, n.d.; Sundqvist, 2009).
Although standard usage of English can certainly be found online, the
style of English that is most commonly used in communication online
(through for example e-mail, instant messages or chatting) consists of
its own style of grammar, linguistic features, and vocabulary. This
includes features generally associated with colloquial or informal
English such as abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols (Crystal, 2006;
Lee, 2015).

Internet abbreviations/internet slang/ text abbreviations

- mostly used in informal conversations of specific groups in social
media networks.
- people use these for convenience (can save time and effort typing
long words, useful when sending on devices with small screens or
there are character limits), speed (often used in fast-paced
communication where quick responses are necessary), informality
(creates casual and friendly tone), popularity (widely accepted form
of communication among younger generations)

What are the most popular and widely used internet abbreviations in 2024
(according to Preply.com):

LOL Laughing out loud

ASAP As soon as possible
FYI For your information
G2G Got to go
FB Facebook
MSG Message
TTYL Talk to you later
IMO In my opinion

Some popular internet abbreviations and acronyms:

Expressing emotions and feelings:

HIFW- How I Feel When

TFW- That Feeling When (often goes in a caption to an image)
MFW- My face when
MRW- My reaction when
IFYP- I feel your pain
LOL- Laughing out loud
TNTL- Trying not to laugh
JK-Just Kidding
IDC-I Don’t Care
ILY-I Love You
IMU- I Miss You
ADIH- Another Day in Hell
IDC- I Don’t Care
ZZZ- Sleeping, Bored, Tired
WYWH- Wish You Were Here
TIME- Tears in My Eyes
BAE- Before Anyone Else (referring to a person who you care the
most)
SSDD- Same Stuff, Different Day
QQ- Crying (meant to quit the game Warcraft II by pressing the
hotkey Alt+QQ, when a player started whining, others offered him to
QQ. Soon it was associated with crying eyes)
FIMH- Forever in My Heart
BSAW-Big Smile and A Wink
BWL- Bursting with Laughter
LMAO- Laughing My A** Off
BFF- Best friends Forever
CSL- Can’t Stop Laughing

Expressing Opinion and Reaction

IMOIMHO- In My Opinion, In My Humble Opinion

OMDB- Over My Dead Body
NTH- Nice to Have
POV- Point of View
TBH- To Be Honest
FTW- For The Win
WTF- What The F***

This and the following examples belong to internet slang

abbreviations describing something of the best or low (FTL) quality.
If you say something is FTW, then it can be splendid, amazing,
perfect, etc.
FTL – For The Loss
YNK – You Never Know
SMH – Shaking My Head

Describing the Reaction to Something Stupid, Aggressive,

Hostile, Unfair

SRSLY- Seriously
YGTR- You Got That Right
GMTA- Great Minds Think Alike
(It is sometimes confused with GMAT (Graduate Management
Admission Test); however, those who have gone through that painful
preparation to exam could always tell the difference. The
abbreviation, which refers to the common way of thinking, has
become mainstream and even placed as a print on cups, pillows,
shirts, etc.)
AYMM- Are You My Mother?
CWOT- Complete Waste of Time

Disclaimers
IANAL- I Am Not a Lawyer/ TINLA -This Is Not Legal Advice
Next time you share any law-related advice in a public chat,
put IANAL or its analogue TINLA (This is not legal advice) so that you
are not accused of unlicensed consultation. In the U.S. and other
countries, even a small recommendation on how to deal with your
assets or running a divorce case can be regarded as unauthorized
law practice.

AFAIK- As Far as I Know

AFAIR- As Far as I Remember
AFAIC – As far as I’m concerned
ASL- Age, Sex, Location
AAMOF- As A Matter of Fact
FWIW-For What It’s Worth
YMMV – Your Mileage May Vary
IIRC- If I Remember Correctly
DM- Direct Message
AFAICT – As Far as I Can Tell
TL;DR – Too Long; Didn’t Read
You can reply with this abbreviation not only to emphasize how long
the post is but also to explain that you’ve been too lazy to read and
just ignored it. Which is why TL;DR also means Too lazy; didn’t read.
Later, it gave birth to ToS; DR (Terms of service; didn’t read). As you
may know, many people skip studying this part of a website because
of the complex law terms and long sentences.

Attracting Attention

IRL- In Real Life

TIL- Today I Learned
SOML- Story of My Life (Story of my life. What does SOML mean in
texting? Most likely a person compares another person’s story with
own situation)
EMBM – Early morning business meeting
J4F- JUST FOR FUN
JSYK- JUST SO YOU KNOW
FAWC – For anyone who cares
RLRT – Real life retweet
OH – Overheard
WUZUP- WHAT’S UP
CS – Career suicide
DWH – During work hours
Notification, Wishes, Greetings, Closings

OMW-On My Way
GRATZ- Congratulations
GL-Good Luck
IDK- I Don’t Know
TTYL- Talk to You Later
BRB- Be Right Back
W8-Wait
NFS- Not For Sale
B4N- Bye For Now
B@U- Back At You
BBBG – Bye bye be good
BBIAS- Be Back in A Sec
RUOK- Are You Ok?
CYT- See You Tomorrow
DBMIB- Don’t Bother Me I’m Busy
GFN- Gone for Now
AFK- Away from keyboard

Warning and Recommendation

NSFW- Not Safe For Work (If you see this kind of abbreviation posted
near a specific link, then do not click it. Most likely, NSWF acronym
will lead to some sexual, nude, brutal or violent content banned to
view at your working place.)
NSFL -Not Safe for Life (It refers to even more offensive and
shocking content which can possibly cause mental harm.)
SFW- Safe for Work
GRAS – Generally Recognized As Safe
NBD- Not Big Deal
OC- Original Content
4AO- For Adults Only
OP- Original Poster (This refers to someone who was the first to
publish a post.)
PPL- People
ICYMI- In Case You Missed It
JIC- Just in Case
NAGI- Not A Good Idea
GOI-Get Over It
RBTL- Read Between the Lines
DIY- Do It Yourself
E123- Easy as One, Two, Three
GAHOY – Get a hold of yourself
Asking for A Favor or Advice

TMB- Tweet Me Back

WTPA- Where The Party at?
DAE – Does anyone else?
PRT- Please Retweet
PTB- Please Text back
TIA- Thanks in advance
BUMP – Bring up my post