Cyberdiscursive Tug-of-War: Learner Repositioning in a Multimodal CMC Environment

Abstract

This study reanalyzes data collected during multimodal (syn­chronous voice and text-chat) computer-mediated interaction between two English language learners, a Korean woman, Kelly, and a Japanese man, Yama, to see if and how they make use of the multiple modes of computer-mediated communication to renegotiate their respective posi­tions during the discourse (leader, follower, knowledgeable student, etc.). During the course of the 20 minute exchange, Yama employs the voice-chat mode almost exclusively, through which he positions himself initially as leader of the interaction. At a midpoint in the conversation, Kelly begins using the text-chat option to gain a foothold in the conver­sation when her spoken turns are interrupted, ignored, or missed by Yama. Later, because of his reliance on voice-chat, Yama is positioned as recipient and reader of Kelly's written turns, which she uses strategical­ly to reposition herself as the more dominant and more knowledgeable participant.