I collected my second set of data from a Facebook thread. This data set was collected from my niece’s timeline. Similarly to the last data set, she was tagged in the post. However, this particular post was a personal video rather than a meme. Like the previous post, this one was school related as well. One of my niece’s friends made a video about her most influential teacher in high school. She chose the music teacher at her high school, and then she tagged all the other students who were in the same program. My niece did not comment on this particular post, but there were far more other people that did.
My second set of data is slightly different from the first set in the sense that it includes far more items to research. For that reason I have not included the actual thread in this post, it would just take up too much room. I will, however, forward a copy of the thread to each of the people in my group so they are aware of what I researched. There are also some adult influences in this post that were not there in the first data set. Also, there was much more data to sift through. I focused specifically on the difference in the language used in the presence of adults, even if it is in an online community. My first data set focused on the changes in typographical differences in comments, the use of internet speak or lingo, the use of emoticons, and different uses of vernacular.
I looked at the some of the same things in my second data set. For instance, I found that there were just as many uses of emoticons in the second data set; however, the internet speak and use of vernacular was significantly curbed. Not that it is particularly interesting, but I did find that the high school students changed the way they use language when they are around adults. I do think it is interesting that it still happens online. I will continue to look at the specific differences in vernacular used by the group of participants. The more I look at both sets of data, I do think that will be the most useful piece of data that I have encountered thus far.
I found the readings for this week to be particularly relevant to my research. Although the reading by McLean focuses on a hybrid cultural identity of an adolescent girl; I still think it important because it does speak to identity on social networking sites. I also found the article by Jacobs to be enlightening. It focuses specifically on IMs, and although it’s somewhat outdated, it still pertains to my research. The article focuses on AIM, but that gave way to Yahoo chat, and then MSN messenger, and finally now Facebook chat is the biggest thing in IMing. I believe some of the readings we will discuss on the 24th will be relevant as well.
Shanna--It would be helpful to see the data that you generated (changing or blurring out the names, of course). It's interesting that you noticed that they change their language if adults are involved in the conversation. What is an example of this? How can you explain it in terms of the relationship between identity and language? Like your other data memo, I'd like to see much more development of your analysis. How can you use your data to illustrate your claims. You will need to weave quotes from the data throughout your discussion as evidence.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of looking at the hybrid identity, specifically looking at the change in vernacular depending on the presence of different ages, gender, and age. How does it affect the crafting of their online identity. I think this would be a great focus for observation and would generate some I agree with Professor Stone, I would love to see the data and observe this slight change in how the language shifted depending on the presence of adults. Overall, I see a lot of potential in your findings and look forward to some examples of this in the future.
ReplyDeleteI Like the attention you payed to the fact the even online, that the teens brought their language out of the standard vernacular. I think that potentially because, as you have mentioned, the majority of the teens interacting in this space are very academically minded, and interested in impressing the adults in their life, that they might be more conscious of what they are saying, than say a teen who is just sliding by.
ReplyDeleteI would like to at least see the conversation thread that you examined. Also I would have liked to see more analysis as opposed to just a summary.
Overall, good job. : )