Address forms in conversations on social media

Domonkosi, Ágnes (2019) Address forms in conversations on social media. Eruditio - Educatio, 14 (3). pp. 77-87. ISSN 1336-8893

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Abstract

The goal of the paper is to present addressing practices characteristic of discourse on social media by analysing two Facebook conversations. As the analysis shows, address forms have several roles including the identification of discourse participants, the evoking of patterns of face-to-face spoken discourse, the expression of emotions, and the increasing or reduction of social distance. In the absence of physical presence, discourse participants engaging in internet-based communication cannot rely on nonverbal channels for the construal of social relationships, thus more significance is attached to linguistic devices in general and the patterns specifically marking social relationships in particular. Both conversations (a series of congratulations, and a debate within a Facebook group) feature address forms in a high number and in varied functions. Address forms in congratulatory messages not only construe social relationships but also represent them for the public. In the public debate, addressing practices indicate the convergence or divergence of opinions, and by identifying discourse participants, they also play a role in the delimitation of smaller units within the overall group conversation.

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