A pragmatic taxonomy of violent language in online interaction

Abstract

The features of mediated communication, along with those of internet language, enable cyber space to be a home for violent language, the adoption of which generally stems from the sender user’s intense emotions or malicious intentions. In accounting for the diffusion of violent language in online interaction from the perspective of cyberpragmatics and speech act theory, I deduce four major variables of violent language as target, intention, message and effect. Accordingly, the article suggests a pragmatic taxonomy of violent language in online interaction, which consists of six categories ranging from conventional violent language targeted at an individual to unconventional language which is not explicitly targeted. Analysis of the categories testifies that the use of violent language in online interaction is not confined to enemies or adversaries, but extends to people who are close to each other. In such a case, rather than ruin or undermine their relationship, violent language could maintain or even strengthen it. In addition to clarifying how to deal with internet language, the article offers some suggestions for further research.