Exploring interactional functions of three dots (…) in CMD
| Author: | Stommel, Wyke |
| Author 2: | Joyce Lamerichs |
| Abstract: | |
| The fear expressed by some that computer-mediated discourse (CMD) would result in a diminishing array of expressive functions (Baron 1984) seems to have been countered over the past years. A growing amount of studies have demonstrated how people have found ways to adopt and adapt ‘traditional’ conversational principles such as turn-taking and sequential placement in asynchronous online settings (e.g., Antaki et al. 2005, Vayreda & Antaki 2009). Although CMD is far from a monolithic category, it is believed to have evolved into a linguistic variety that contains features of oral communication (Herring 2003). One facet of this variety is the use of three dots, sometimes referred to as ellipsis. The three dots have been mentioned as mimicking a feature of spoken conversation: a pause (Crystal 2001). However, this characterisation seems premature or at least imprecise. Therefore, we will present an analysis that demonstrates how participants employ the three dots in asynchronous CMD as an interactional resource. In our talk we will draw upon materials from two online support groups. Our approach combines insights from conversation analysis and discursive psychology. Exploring a feature that frequently occurs in our data, we want to advance research that applies CA to CMD. |
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