Interruptions in chat

Authors: Smith, Bryan¹; Sauro, Shannon²

Source: Computer Assisted Language Learning, Volume 22, Number 3, July 2009 , pp. 229-247(19)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The research on text-based synchronous computer-mediated communication (SCMC), while generally acknowledging the potential benefits afforded by the medium's capacity for extensive self-repair, has done little in the way of exploration of the nature of such text. Indeed, until quite recently, output logs have been favored almost exclusively at the expense of richer records of the interaction that can better account for this deleted text. Another basic aspect of SCMC interaction is the occurrence of interruptions initiated by one's interlocutor during the message composition phase. The possible effect of these interruptions on the chat interaction, however, has again been largely ignored in the literature. This study examines the relationship between these interruptions and deleted text as well as the effect such interruptions have on the subsequent output produced by learners.

Keywords: CALL; synchronous computer-mediated communication; interruptions; deleted text; interaction

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09588220902920219

Affiliations: 1: Department of English, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA 2: Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, USA

Publication date: 2009-07-01