Language Study Essay Example

these features are linguistic phenomena that reflect the ever-evolving English language.
Moving forward, I will examine the imitation of non-verbal aspects utilized in online communication, such as capital letters and simulated laughter. Both of these features compensate for the absence of non-verbal signals, known as prosodics, that contribute to the meaning of spoken words. Examples include yawns, grunts, and giggling, which cannot be conveyed through online communication. However, simulated laughter in the form of "hahahahahaha" and "kekekekeke" acts as onomatopoeia to replicate the sound of laughter, allowing the reader to understand the writer's emotions.In addition, the writer utilizes capital letters to convey a sense of both shouting and anger, enhancing the impact of their expression. By employing capitals, the words become bold and prominent, truly emphasizing the intended message in a manner similar to how shouting amplifies communication.

Although online communication lacks prosodics, the replication of non-verbal features through emoticons achieves the same effect and purpose. Emoticons, a recent addition to online communication, consist of smileys that convey the writer's desired emotion. From my data, it is clear that emoticons are commonly used in web-based communication and they enhance the readability and enjoyment of conversations. Similar to rebuses and initialisation, the presence of emoticons creates a friendlier atmosphere with the recipient. However, the primary reason for using emoticons is to make up for the absence of paralinguistics when not communicating face to face.

Paralinguistics, such as hand gestures and facial expressions, hold great significance in spoken language, reinforcing or contradicting verbal communication. In online interactions where paralinguistics are absent, emoticons are employed to mimic facial expressions and emphasize the writer's emotions. Emoticons, though absent in spoken language,

play a crucial role in compensating for the nonverbal cues evident in face-to-face conversations. However, there exists dissent regarding the use and importance of emoticons in web-based communication. John Humphreys, a journalist from the Daily Mail, derides emoticons as "absurd little faces" that inundate text messages. He views emoticons as part of a distinct language that is excessively used and has become an unfortunate habit among young people. Humphreys harshly criticizes emoticons, displaying a lack of comprehension regarding their purpose and dismissively labeling them as foolish. In his article, he also expresses concerns that emoticons will come to dominate written language, reducing it to a collection of absurd emoticons and ever-evolving abbreviations.

In summary, I have come to understand that web-based communication possesses elements that mimic the paralinguistics and prosodics found in spoken language. These elements encompass emoticons, simulated laughter, and the use of capital letters. Although they differ from actual speech, they still elicit similar effects. Additionally, online communication also incorporates specific features like initialisation and rebuses that help convey the tone of the conversation.