'[Chinese symbols omitted](Haha)' in WeChat Chinese Conversations
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| Title: | '[Chinese symbols omitted](Haha)' in WeChat Chinese Conversations |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Weiting Yuan |
| Source: | Studies in Applied Linguistics & TESOL. 2025 25(1):15-30. |
| Availability: | Teachers College, Columbia University. 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027. e-mail: tcsalt@tc.columbia.edu; Web site: https://tesolal.columbia.edu |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Computer Software, Computer Mediated Communication, Chinese, Orthographic Symbols, Discourse Analysis, Humor, Native Speakers, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Communication Problems |
| ISSN: | 2576-2907 |
| Abstract: | Few studies have considered the micro-analysis of written laughter in the digital world in its sequential context (beyond frequency and distribution). The present study fills this gap by examining "transcribed" laughter "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)" in Chinese conversations on WeChat from a conversation analytic perspective. A line-by-line analysis was conducted to identify how speakers use "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)" in different sequences to perform different social actions. This study has shown that the sequential environments of the laughter "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)" in WeChat Chinese conversations can be classified into three types: TCU-initial "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)," TCU-end "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)" and stand-alone "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)." These three types of "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)" perform the actions of mitigating disalignment, managing failure or misconduct, and displaying minimal engagement, respectively. The findings expand the current conversation analysis literature on laughter by describing the use of written laughter in a previously unexamined context and help both native and non-native speakers better navigate informal Chinese digital communication and avoid misunderstandings. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1478730 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Few studies have considered the micro-analysis of written laughter in the digital world in its sequential context (beyond frequency and distribution). The present study fills this gap by examining "transcribed" laughter "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)" in Chinese conversations on WeChat from a conversation analytic perspective. A line-by-line analysis was conducted to identify how speakers use "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)" in different sequences to perform different social actions. This study has shown that the sequential environments of the laughter "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)" in WeChat Chinese conversations can be classified into three types: TCU-initial "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)," TCU-end "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)" and stand-alone "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)." These three types of "[Chinese symbols omitted](haha)" perform the actions of mitigating disalignment, managing failure or misconduct, and displaying minimal engagement, respectively. The findings expand the current conversation analysis literature on laughter by describing the use of written laughter in a previously unexamined context and help both native and non-native speakers better navigate informal Chinese digital communication and avoid misunderstandings. |
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| ISSN: | 2576-2907 |
