How to Interact Online Conversation

How to Interact Online Conversation Communication is an essential life skill, allowing us to share information and ideas, as well as express feelings and arguments. Mastering effective interaction is more than just mastering the core language resources of grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation. It is about using those resources for the desired effect – whether we try to persuade someone of our arguments, apologizing for a mistake, or making friends. However, online interaction is substantially different from spoken conversation in terms of technical means, forms and organization. Our major purpose is to review the peculiarities of online conversation, taking into consideration both its advantages and the constraints that may occur. With no doubt, online communication is growing and developing. There are billions of e-mails, WhatsApp messages, Instagram photos and videos sent every day around the globe. Online interaction is a worldwide phenomenon, and in the course of our lecture we cover some of its key points. First of all, we identified the core elements of conversation, and then we discuss different spheres of online communication, using examples. Finally, we investigate three communication modes for online interaction maintenance and development. 1. Three core elements form the image of an online interlocutor. They are: • language • interactions • confidence and clarity First, using appropriate language means understanding that there are formal, semi-formal and informal situations that require adapting a communication style. One can use a variety of language devices, for example, to be more persuasive in an argument, to catch attention or to add some emphasis or humor. Furthermore, it refers to awareness of differences in communication styles across cultures. It can be considered a difficult point that in every national group situation rules work specifically. The differences usually concern style, manner of interaction and language behavior. All this must be taken into account in order to maintain effective cross-cultural communication. If specifics are ignored, one will fail in communication or even face a conflict. For example: Strategy Possible statement Example language Adapting language use according to different cultures and social groups Using a formal, semi-formal or informal register appropriate to the person one is communicating with Excuse me / Pardon? / Sorry? / What? Second, facilitating interaction means one’s ability to converse with others effectively by knowing how to initiate, maintain and end conversations in a better way. This also includes various strategies for overcoming language gaps and communication breakdowns to convey one’s messages and support interlocutors. For example: Can you say… / on another note… (Using alternative words or expressions if they are not understood, or changing the topic of conversation in an appropriate way) Third, participating in an online conversation with appropriate clarity means the ability to structure one’s thoughts and create coherent messages in order to avoid ambiguity or misunderstanding. This may also include tonal variation, facial expression and eye contact if online interaction implies video chat. For example: I mean… when… / after… / before… (Developing a clear description or narrative with a logical sequence and using connectors to add additional points) Thus, one should follow basic rules to maintain a successful online conversation and consider the core elements which are appropriate language, clarity and interaction. In other words, the tone of any online conversation depends on the context, the situation, the degree of involvement of the participants and their closeness to each other. 2. The context and the spheres of online communication may be diverse, from an informal chat with friends in a messenger to business correspondence or students’ communication in an academic environment. All these cases have their own peculiarities. For example: Academic context Business context Colloquial context So you’re saying that… (paraphrasing) I see it differently because… (disagreeing) Overall, what I’m trying to say is… (summarizing) First, let me set the scene (choosing a presentation style) So, just to be sure / clarify, you mean…? (checking comprehension) I can’t get my head round it / I’m a bit stressed out / Are you kidding? (doubt and disappointment) We can see that the elements of conversation, as well as communication styles and social context, are closely interrelated. One should adhere to the chosen style and follow the so-called “netiquette” rules. These rules, one way or another, are familiar to all of us, so I do not see the need to enumerate them, especially since different sources offer different lists. 3. What is more interesting, it is the mechanism of the rules functioning. Three communication models concerning language behavior online are identified as “following”, “prevention” and “breaking” the rules. In fact, they are used not only for online conversation maintenance, but also for language training. The meaning of following or breaking of any rule does not cause problems, but the idea of its prevention should be clarified. Prevention is used in those cases when the speaker is aware that he or she is somehow violating a norm of online conversation and is signaling about this, warning the addressee. For example, “don’t worry, it’s a joke :)”. Cases of the language behavior rules’ use and their breakings are illustrated in the following scheme: Regular dialogue Forecasting of breaking Breaking Following the rules (author) ↓ Reaction to following (addressee) For example: A: Could you, please, tell your groupmates that we have classes at 9.30? B: OK. Prevention of breaking (author) ↓ Reaction to prevention (addressee) ↓ Continuation of conversation by addressee or author (including signal for continuation) For example: A: My achievements… not so interesting, actually. B: They mean a lot to you. A: Sure, but I don't like to show off / tell me about... Breaking a rule (author) ↓ Reaction to breaking (addressee) ↓ Liquidation of breaking (author) ↓ Continuation of conversation by addressee or author (including signal of revived conversation) For example: A: I didn’t like your classes today. B: Why? A: To be honest, you spoke very fast and quiet, but… (further discussion) Common reasons for breaking the rules may include emotional state, insufficient experience in communication, or manipulation in case of their intentional nature. Of course, each failure should be analyzed and eliminated, when possible, within the frames of the dialogue. In summary, the positive effect of compliance with those models is, certainly, productive interaction, when problems are solved without conflict between participants, and general purposes of communication (informing, influence, assessment and maintaining social contact) are successfully achieved. The effect of prevention should be considered as development of partnership and communicative tolerance. Generally, one should remember the core elements of communication, taking into account the social context and the style once chosen, using the appropriate language, in order to respect all the partners. To conclude, conversations are a captivating subject whether one is having them or studying them. Our lives are composed of conversations, so it is no wonder they are so complex. In studying different aspects of online communication, there is a wealth of information available that we can find in different fields, including linguistics, conversation analysis, language pedagogy, and digital pedagogy. In practice, this means there are a lot of things to be considered while interacting effectively in online contexts. References Cenere, P., Gill, R., Lawson, C., & Lewis, M. (2015). Communication skills for business professionals. Victoria, Australia: Cambridge University Press. Littleton, K. and Mercer, N. (2013). Interthinking: Putting Talk to Work. London: Routledge. Meredith, Joanne. (2019). Conversation Analysis and Online Interaction. Research on Language and Social Interaction, 52, 241-256. Osetrova Elena V. (2015). Being an ethical speaker online: correspondence with foreign partners. Журнал Сибирского федерального университета. Гуманитарные науки, 8 (11), 2561-2571.