Coherence Discourse analysis and Topic Drift in Instagram Comments

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University, Deh Vanak, Vanak, Tehran

2 associate professor of linguistics, Alzahra University

3 Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies

Abstract

Each conversation starts with a specific topic and the participants become engaged in it. However, the topic the conversation ends with usually has a distance from where it began. This phenomenon is more observable in online discussions where participants are not face to face. Studies have analyzed topic coherence and topic drift in online discussions. A classification of some topic relations have also been provided, yet a closer look at Instagram online comments call for a closer inspection for such classifications. In this research, we have tried to come up with a more specific classification for coherence relations. Hobbs suggests on-topic, parallel, explanation and metatalk as such coherence relations. Herring and Nix add a fifth classification i.e. breaks. In our analysis, sub-classes have been found for the two groups on-topic and break.

Keywords

References

-  ساسانی، فرهاد و یزدانی، نسترن (1392)، «بررسی تأثیر چینش سازه‌های متن بر کنش کلامی کلان در گفت‌وگوهای روزمره»، مجموعه مقالات سومینهم‌اندیشیزبان‌شناسیومطالعاتبینارشته‌ای، تهران، دانشگاه الزهرا، مطالعات اجتماعی و فرهنگی زبان، نشر نویسه پارسی.
-  Barnes, S. B. (2009), “Relationship Networking: Society and Education”. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 735- 742.
-  Boyd, D. M., Ellison, N. B. (2007), “Social network sites: Definition, history and scholarship”. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. 13(1).
-  Collot, M., Belmore, N. (1996), “Electronic Language: A new variety of English”. In S. C. Herring (Ed.), 13-28.
-  Griffin, E. (2012), AFirst Look at Communication Theory: eight edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.
-  Herring, S. C. (1999), “Interactional Coherence in CMC”. Journal of Computer-MediatedCommunication. 4(4), available online at: [http:/jcmc.indiana.edu/vol4/issue4/herring. html]
-  Herring, S. C. (2001), “Computer-mediated Discourse”. In D. Schiffrin, D. Tannen and H. Hamilton (eds). The Handbook of Discourse Analysis. pp. 612–34. Oxford: Blackwell.
-  Herring, S. C. (2003), “Dynamic Topic Analysis of Synchronous Chat”. Symposium on New Research for New Media.
-  Herring, S. C. and Nix, C. G. (1997), “Is “Serious Chat” an Oxymoron? Pedagogical vs. Social Use of Internet Relay Chat”. Paper presented at the American Association of AppliedLinguistics. Orlando, FL.
-  Hobbs, J. (1990), “Topic drift”. In B. Doval (ed.), Conversational organization and its development, 3-22. Norwood, NJ: Ablex
-  Horowitz, R., Samuels, J. S. (1987), “Comprehending oral and written language: Critical contrasts for literacy and schooling”. In R. Horowitz & J.S. Samuels (Eds.), Comprehending oral and written language, (1-52). New York: Academic Press.
-  Jefferson, G. (1988), “On stepwise transition from talk about a trouble to inappropriately positioned matters”. In Atkinson J. M. & Heritage J. (eds.) Structures of social action: studies in conversation analysis. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press, 191-222.
-  Kiesler, S., Siegel J., McGuire T. W. (1984), “Social psychological aspects of computer-mediated communication”. American Psychologist. 39 (10), 1123-34.
-  Konijn, E. A., Utz, S., Tanis, M., and Barnes, S. B. (2010), “Mediated interpersonal communication”. Journal of Communication. 60: 3.
-  Lambiase, J. J. (2009), “Hanging by a Thread: Topic Development and Death in an Online Discussion of Breaking News”. Language@Internet. 7: 9.
-  Lloyd-Williams, A. J. F. (2007), "Asynchronous and Synchronous Education in online Education".  Introduction to Environment for Learning Assignment.
-  Maynor, N. (1994), “The language of electronic mail: Written speech?” In G. Little & M. Montgomery (Eds.), Centennial usage studies. American Dialect Society. 78, 48-54.
-  Park, A., Hartzler, A. L., Huh, J., Hsieh, G., McDonald, D. W., Pratt5, W. (2016), “How Did We Get Here?: Topic Drift in Online Health Discussions”. J Med Internet Res. 18:11.
-  Placencia, M. E., Lower, A. (2013), “Your kids are stinking cute.  Complimenting behaviour on Facebook among family and friends”.  Intercultural Pragmatics. 10 (4): 617–646 https://doi.org/10.1515/ip-2013-0029
-  Sacks, H. (1992), Lectures on Conversation. Volumes I and II. (G. Jefferson, ed.). Oxford, Uk, Cambridge, USA: Blackwell
-  Stromer-Galley, J., Martinson, A. M. (2009), “Coherence in political computer-mediated communication: analyzing topic relevance and drift in chat”. DISCOURSE & COMMUNICATION. 3: 195.
-  Tannen D., Trester A., M. (2013), Discourse 2.0: Language and the New Media. Washington: Georgetown University Press.
-  Weger, H.J., Aakhus, M. (2003), “Arguing in Internet Chat Rooms: Argumentative Adaptations to Chat Room Design and Some Consequences for Public Deliberation at a Distance”. Argumentation and Advocacy.40(2): 23–38.
-  Yates, S. J. (1996), “Oral and written linguistic aspects of computer conferencing”. In S. C. Herring (Ed.), 29-46.
-  Yus, F. (2010), Cyber pragmatics: Internet-Mediated Communication in Context. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics