Digital

• Computer-mediated discourse is the distinctive pattern of discourse generated by computer networks
• Online discourse overlaps with the conventions of written and spoken language
• Texts, forums, and other forms of online communication enable real-time responses similar to spoken conversation
• Participants in computer-mediated discourse use lexis, content, style, and paralinguistic features found in face-to-face conversation
• Computer-mediated discourse is usually unplanned and spontaneous with mutually understandable language and graphology
• David Crystal suggests that all technological developments have resulted in language change
• Each form of communication, from the printing press to the internet, has a distinctive style
• The language of the internet and social networking sites is likely to evolve quickly to suit the needs of its users