Computer-mediated Communication and Linguistic Issues in French University Online Courses. Rachel Panckhurst

This paper examines the ways in which language is evolving in certain online courses within French higher education. In particular, it addresses usage of computer-mediated communication (CMC) and various linguistic issues associated with discussion and chat groups. WebCT, a commercially available virtual learning environment (VLE) is used as a basis of the study. Previous research (Panckhurst and Bouguerra 2003, Panckhurst 1999) suggests that CMC issues are of particular interest in relation to linguistic and extra-linguistic aspects. In our view, the discourse which occurs when one uses the computer for electronic mail (email), discussion groups (DGs) and chat groups (CGs) (“Netspeak” as Crystal terms it or mediated electronic discourse (MED) in our terminology), emerges specifically because the computer is in use. The computer becomes a sort of new mediator, creating new methods, new styles, and new “genres”.