Text Communication Research Articles

Semiotic analysis of textual communication in Snow by Julia Alvarez

The use of literary texts in language classes does not find enough space within the scope of English language teaching programs in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) settings, where direct exposure to second language (L2) is considerably limited due to pseudo communicative language teaching environment. Literary texts provide ample opportunity for the learner to study the target language in a natural way with all the necessary corpora rich in powerful textual communication where linguistic, pragmatic and literary studies are presented in the same medium concurrently. The whole idea behind this article is not to substitute criticism for literature, but to make it the object of study in an inter-textual system of relations by connecting one text to the already existing ones created in the same literary tradition. The relation between semiotic analysis and textual communication with reference to the seven standards of textuality is provided within a mellifluent blend for the sake of comprehensive understanding of the semiotic analysis of textual communication in the story. Textual analysis of the story by considering all the standards of textuality is displayed with all the necessary input in order for the learner to move on to semiotic analysis of textual communication in the short story. Semiotic analysis of the story is presented in line with the accepted strategies of the reading activity developed in consecutive steps. Having provided with the phases of the approach the reader is expected to develop a comprehensive view of how to become autonomous learner responsible for his own learning. The reader not only develops the interpretative skills by acquiring the accepted strategies of semiotic analysis, but also enhances awareness of life, for literary studies help develop a thorough perception of life by going through the private psychological experience of the protagonist. The reader is expected to appreciate and acquire the sort of wisdom lying behind the moral lesson of the story to understand life better, and in turn to appreciate the unalienable human rights that guarantee freedom of the mankind in this world.

Boosting Innovation in an Italian Online University

This paper describes the process of boosting an innovative e-learning system in an online university in Italy. The system relies on a satellite-terrestrial telecommunication infrastructure and allows for different interaction types, including synchronous, asynchronous, textual, audio and video communication modes. The adoption of this infrastructure was preceded by a training initiative proposed to the university staff to favor its intake. The paper analyses the effects of both the training initiative and the technological innovation based on qualitative data derived from the observed differences between the pre-existing courses and their re-design and quantitative data tracked by the system during a pilot test that lasted eleven months. These data show a trend reversal in the e-learning approach, from a prevalence of transmissive mode to a more interactive one, although there is still a long way to go before more radical changes can take place.

Blinded by the light: Illuminating the dark side of social network use through content analysis

The present study reveals the results of a content analysis of the descriptive, textual communication, and photo content found in 208 college student Facebook profiles. An a priori coding scheme was developed for this investigation based on (1) news reports and stories on controversies surrounding online social network use, (2) research on social uses of the Internet, and (3) insights from the author, a longtime Facebook user. Results show that all categories of controversial content were more frequent than any of the prosocial content categories, suggesting that there is an overrepresentation of negative content on Facebook, even though many of the specific frequencies are low. In addition, the vast majority of students did not disclose personal contact information on their profiles, and males and females differed in the amount of personal contact information and controversial content disclosed. The study results document the nature of online social network content and point to possible effects of displaying and/or being exposed to controversial content online.

Analizar el liderazgo distribuido en entornos virtuales de formación.

We propose a coding scheme for the analysis of distributed leadership in virtual learning environments. The tool is designed for the analysis of synchronous and asynchronous textual communications. The tool is built by a process based on previous literature and the content analysis of the researchers. We obtain realibility of coding scheme through the intraclass correlation coefficient reaches a value of .878. We conclude that the proposed coding scheme can be used for coding virtual communication through chats, forums and emails to obtain reliable results that facilitate understanding of distributed leadership in teaching and learning in virtual environments.

Towards Capturing Population-Wide Expertise via Online Professional Social Network Systems

While much research work has been carried out in relation to the expertise of individuals in the domains of Q&A portals, special interest group portals, Wikipedia, blogs, and conference reviews, very little research has been done in relation to expertise measurement, based upon online professional social networks such as LinkedIn. Existing approaches have been based on evidence-based analysis from textual sources and communications. In this paper, we propose an expertise model based on expertise vectors composed of attributes and values derived by integrating information obtained in the two following ways: semi-automatic calculation utilizing online professional profile information collected from diverse online sources such as professional social network sites and some level of manual expertise identification by individuals. Unlike past approaches focusing on expertise measurement based on analysis of secondary evidence such as textual communications and/or social network activities, this is a novel approach to identifying expertise based on real-world work experience, qualifications and other skills indicated via information found in online professional profiles, often from professional social network sites. Given contemporary professional social network sites can have 100s of millions of participants such automated expertise measurement approaches are a step towards fine-grained, up-to-date and population-wide expertise capture and quantification.

Reducing alcohol-related harm in disadvantaged men: development and feasibility assessment of a brief intervention delivered by mobile telephone

AbstractBackgroundSocially disadvantaged men suffer substantial harm from heavy drinking. Brief alcohol interventions are effective in reducing consumption when delivered via health care. There is a need for tailored brief interventions for disadvantaged men who seldom attend health care.Objectives(1) To investigate the best ways to recruit and retain disadvantaged men in a study aimed at reducing the frequency of heavy drinking. (2) To identify the type of content and timing of the delivery that is most likely to engage disadvantaged young to middle-aged men in an intervention delivered by text messages. (3) To determine whether or not the intervention is likely to be an acceptable way to influence the frequency of heavy drinking.DesignA three-phase study involving the development of the recruitment strategy and the intervention, an assessment of the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial, and a post-study evaluation.SettingCommunity-based study, conducted in Dundee, UK.ParticipantsDisadvantaged men aged 25–44 years who had two or more episodes of heavy drinking (≥ 8 units in a single session) in the preceding month. Two recruitment strategies were employed: recruitment through general practice (GP) registers and recruitment through a community outreach strategy.InterventionsFocus groups explored drinking motives and behaviours of the target group. The intervention also drew on reviews of the literature on: alcohol brief interventions, text message studies, communication theory and behaviour change theories and techniques. The intervention group received 36 text messages with images sent over a 28-day period.Main outcome measuresThe outcome measures evaluated the likely success of a full trial: recruitment of the participants; construction and delivery of a theoretically and empirically based intervention that successfully engages disadvantaged men; potential for the intervention to influence binge drinking.ResultsThe focus group analyses identified that personal experience and knowledge of the harmful effects of alcohol was widespread. Furthermore, there was a discrepancy between frequent binge drinking and perceived social expectations and duties. This could usefully be targeted in the intervention. Theoretically and empirically based behaviour change strategies were successfully rendered in attractive, colourful, brief text messages. Both recruitment strategies (GP registers and community outreach) proved successful and a total of 67 men were recruited, exceeding the target of 60. The participants were at high risk of harm because of frequent episodes of heavy binge drinking. Baseline interviews established that those recruited through community outreach drank substantially more and had more frequent binge drinking sessions than those recruited through GP registers. Retention at follow-up was 96%. Extensive process evaluation was conducted. The evaluation showed that 95% of text messages were successfully delivered to participants' telephones. Furthermore, there was a high level of engagement with text messages which sought responses. Most men replied to these texts, often giving carefully structured personal responses. Analyses of the responses indicated a high level of engagement with key components of the behaviour change strategy. Post-trial evaluation showed high levels of satisfaction with the intervention.ConclusionsThis study has shown that disadvantaged men can be recruited and retained in an alcohol intervention trial. A theoretically and empirically based intervention was successfully delivered by text message. Furthermore, the messages were well received and elicited the types of response intended. A full trial of the intervention, incorporating a cost-effectiveness study, should be carried out.Study registrationThis study is registered as ISRCTN10515845.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme.

The effects of text, audio, video, and in-person communication on bonding between friends

Considerable research on computer-mediated communication has examined online communication between strangers, but little is known about the emotional experience of connectedness between friends in digital environments. However, adolescents and emerging adults use digital communication primarily to communicate with existing friends rather than to make new connections. We compared feelings of emotional connectedness as they occurred in person and through digital communication among pairs of close friends in emerging adulthood. Fifty-eight young women, recruited in pairs of close friends, engaged in four conversations each: in-person, video chat, audio chat, and instant messaging (IM). Bonding in each condition was measured through both self-report and affiliation cues (i.e., nonverbal behaviors associated with the emotional experience of bonding). Participants reported feeling connected in all conditions. However, bonding, as measured by both self-report and affiliation cues, differed significantly across conditions, with the greatest bonding during in-person interaction, followed by video chat, audio chat, and IM in that order. Compared with other participants, those who used video chat more frequently reported greater bonding with friends through video chat in our study. Compared with other participants, those who spoke on the phone more frequently with their participating friend reported greater bonding during audio chat. Use of textual affiliation cues like emoticons, typed laughter, and excessive letter capitalization during IM related to increased bonding experience during IM. Nonetheless, a significantly lower level of bonding was experienced in IM compared with in-person communication. Because adolescent and emerging adults’ digital communication is primarily text-based, this finding has significant real-world implications.

The convergent use of mobile phones: A comparison of user behaviors between Australia and Taiwan

The emergence of device convergence with regard to new design and data services have transformed the use of mobile phones from solely for voice and text communication into various purposes, namely personal information management (PIM), entertainment, e-mail communication, and commercial transactions. However, most of the existing literature on mobile technology adoption has thus far focused on the adoption of mobile phone as a single function device and hence does offer very limited explanatory power to understand the utility of mobile phone as a converged device. In addition, the scope of previous studies has been limited to a single country. Therefore, this paper intends to address both these limitations. The aim is to explain the use of mobile phone as a converged device and the determinants that influence such use. Data were collected based on a cross-national survey in Australia and Taiwan. Although the findings indicate that the individual profiles and usage patterns in both countries are similar, the empirical framework explains more variances in the Australian sample. Among the psychometrical factors, individuals’ perception of enjoyment is the dominant factor that drives people to use mobile phones for various purposes in both Australia and Taiwan. Users’ age does differentiate the use of mobile phones for different purposes in both samples. Gender seems to have some influence as well. Male and female users show significant differences in using their mobile phones for entertainment, e-mail and commercial transactions. The findings also pinpoint the effects of individuals’ perceptions, demographics, and technology choices are heterogeneous when using mobile phones for specific purposes. Some effects, such as risk and enjoyment can be explained by cultural differences. Therefore, product manufacturers and service providers should dedicate their marketing efforts in accordance to match with the heterogeneous demand from their customers. Key words: TAM, mobile commerce, moderating effect, logistic regression.

Online supervision: a theory of supervisors’ strategic communicative influence on student dissertations

Online supervision mainly focuses on written communication and electronic drafts, while offline supervision comprises physical and social clues, verbal communication, and drafts of texts. This article focuses on supervisors’ written online communication about drafts of undergraduate student dissertations. Theoretically, these utterances form part of the communicative exchanges performed in the practice of supervision. This means that supervision is an emergent phenomenon that relates to its past, current, and future states. The setting was a dissertation course within a bachelor programme in behavioural science. The data consists of 423 utterances from four supervisors. The utterances were analysed and categorised, and the results show different qualities and degrees of identifications in the supervisors’ communicated utterances. The study shows that the quality of supervisors’ utterances embraces the difference between the application of comments, points of view, instructions, and questions. This implicates the importance of supervisors’ awareness of the nature and the combination of their utterances if they want to increase the student autonomy when supervising online.

A Study of Gamer Experience and Virtual World Behaviour

This paper reports a study which examined the impact of computer game experience on behaviour observed inside a virtual world. A social networking world was used, which was owned and run by the research team and a dataset capturing the behaviour of 195 subjects was extracted from the world's event logs. Four broad areas were analysed: communication, movement, avatar creation and world customization. Highly significant differences were found in text communication. Less significant differences were found in movement and avatar creation, and none were found in the customization of the world.

Cover, TOC and Editorial

Welcome to the new issue of Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, Volume 9 – Issue 2, October 2013. As the editorial team, we once again would like to extend our personal gratitude to those without whose valuable help and support, it would become impossible to complete this issue. Each day our team is making tremendous effort to reach the perfect in our services for our authors and readers. In this new issue we have included eight research papers, each of which is considered highly prestigious study. Arslan, in his article entitled “An integrated approach to enhancing prospective English language teachers’ writing skills,” investigates to what extent the writing course contributes to the acquisition of basic conventions of written discourse in English when prospective teachers of English are involved in an extensive writing practice. In doing so, he uses an analytic assessment rubric to evaluate participants’ pre-study and post-study essays and a pre-study and a post-study self-perception questionnaire. The results of his study reveal that exposing pre-service teachers of English to various genres by means of an extensive writing practice contributes to their writing competency. In her article “L2 motivation in foreign language learning,” Sung tests Dornyei’s L2 Motivation Self System and the seven motivational constructs in Chinese as a foreign language classrooms by investigating whether the constructs found in this study differ based on the following differences: (a) gender, (b) grade level, and (c) starting age of learning a foreign language. As a result, she found four motivational constructs: instrumentality-dominant, attitudes toward the L2 speaker/community-dominant, learners’ perception of their parents’ proficiency in Chinese, and milieu. Acknowledging that the use of literary texts in language classes does not find enough space in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) settings, Kumral has conducted a study on “Semiotic analysis of textual communication in Snow by Julia Alvarez” in which he discusses the effectiveness of using semiotic analysis in exposing learners to literary texts and hence, in improving language teaching programs. He argues that the reader not only develops the interpretative skills by acquiring the accepted strategies of semiotic analysis, but also enhances awareness of life, for literary studies help develop a thorough perception of life. Another interesting article by Osam, Marfo and Agyekum is on “The morphophonology of the Akan reduplicated verb-form” in which they discuss the interaction between constituent formation and alteration of sounds (i.e., morphophonology) in Akan reduplicated verb-forms. In the article “The effect of dialog journal writing on EFL learners’ grammar knowledge” Rokni and Seifi investigate the impact of dialog journal writing on learners’ grammar development and their confidence and the results of their study reveal that journal writing has a significant positive effect on students’ grammar knowledge and enhance their confidence in writing. In another article titled “The status of /r/ in the pronunciation of Turkish PhD candidates and its rehabilitation by computer and audacity programs”, Demirezen explores the general situation of /r/ phoneme and special existence of retroflex-r of North American English in the pronunciation of PhD candidates, who took an oral exam. In this research, he investigates the existence of /r/ phoneme by using the Error Hunt Approach and a diagnostic test in listening comprehension, and presents a 50-minute lesson plan as a remedial rehabilitation refinement by Audio-articulation Model by computer and audacity program. In their research on language assessment, Akpinar and Cakildere conducted a study on “Washback effects of high-stakes language tests of Turkey (KPDS and UDS) on productive and receptive skills of academic personnel”. Using a self-report questionnaire for data collection and conducting required statistical analyses, they found that there are significant differences between reading and writing; reading and listening, but reading and speaking provided insignificant results. Lastly, Bayraktar explores linguistic potential of Turkish colour terms in onomastique and their function in giving proper names in Turkish. She documents 17 different colour terms with varying frequency, and semantic and conceptual fields. Bayraktar’s study shows how functional colour terms are in coining new words Turkish. Last but not least we are happy to work with those who would like to publish their papers in our journal. Therefore, I am pleased to announce a “call for papers” for our future issues. On behalf of the editorial board, Best regards, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arif SARICOBAN Editor-in-Chief

Messages are Everywhere: Reading Perceptions, Habits, and Preferences of Undergraduates

As society continues to evolve, so do the methods that are used for text-based communication. Electronic books, mobile phone text messaging, and an array of internet-based texts are now combined with traditional print forms of text, broadly expanding text-based communication. However, student perceptions of reading may still be limited to interactions with traditional forms of text communication. To determine college students' perceptions of reading, their reading habits, and their learning preferences by source of text, we surveyed 152 undergraduates, rank ordering their responses. Our analysis revealed a lack of alignment between the participants' responses, with interaction with non-traditional forms of text ranked highest in reading habits while participants' perceptions and preferences for reading were focused more on traditional text-based forms of communication. Implications, directions for future research, and limitations are discussed.

Communication Latencies of Wireless Devices Suitable for Time-Critical Messaging to Anesthesia Providers

Rapid and reliable methods of text communication to mobile anesthesia care providers are important to patient care and to efficient operating room management. Anesthesia departments are implementing automated methods to send text messages to mobile devices for abnormal vital signs, clinical recommendations, quality of care, and compliance or billing issues. The most time-critical communications determine maximum acceptable latencies. We studied the reliability of several alphanumeric messaging systems to identify an appropriate technology for such use. Latencies between message initiation and delivery to 3 alphanumeric paging devices were measured over weeks. Two devices used Internet pathways outside the hospital's local network with an external paging vendor (SkyTel). The third device used only the internal hospital network (Zetron). Sequential cell phone text page latencies were examined for lag-1 autocorrelation using the runs test, with results binned by hour and by day. Message latencies subsequently were batched in successive 1-week bins for calculation of the mean and 99th percentiles of latencies. We defined acceptance criteria as a mean latency <30 seconds and no more than 1 in 200 pages (0.5%) having a latency longer than 100 seconds. Cell phone texting was used as a positive control to assure that the analysis was appropriate, because such devices have (known) poor reliability during high network activity. There was substantial correlation among latencies for sequential cell phone text messages when binned by hours (P < 0.0001), but not by days (P = 0.61). The 2 devices using Internet pathways outside the hospital's network demonstrated unacceptable performance, with 1.3% and 33% of latencies exceeding 100 seconds, respectively. The device dependent only on the internal network had a mean latency of 8 seconds, with 100% of 40,200 pages having latencies <100 seconds. The findings suggest that the network used was the deciding factor. Developers of anesthesia communication systems need to measure latencies of proposed communication pathways and devices used to deliver urgent messages to mobile users. Similar evaluation is relevant for text pagers used on an ad hoc basis for delivery of time-critical notifications. Testing over a period of hours to days is adequate only for disqualification of a candidate paging system, because acceptable results are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance. Rather, weeks of testing are required, with appropriate batching of pages for analysis.

Development of Mobile Electronic Health Records Application in a Secondary General Hospital in Korea

ObjectivesThe recent evolution of mobile devices has opened new possibilities of providing strongly integrated mobile services in healthcare. The objective of this paper is to describe the decision driver, development, and implementation of an integrated mobile Electronic Health Record (EHR) application at Ulsan University Hospital. This application helps healthcare providers view patients' medical records and information without a stationary computer workstation.MethodsWe developed an integrated mobile application prototype that aimed to improve the mobility and usability of healthcare providers during their daily medical activities. The Android and iOS platform was used to create the mobile EHR application. The first working version was completed in 5 months and required 1,080 development hours.ResultsThe mobile EHR application provides patient vital signs, patient data, text communication, and integrated EHR. The application allows our healthcare providers to know the status of patients within and outside the hospital environment. The application provides a consistent user environment on several compatible Android and iOS devices. A group of 10 beta testers has consistently used and maintained our copy of the application, suggesting user acceptance.ConclusionsWe are developing the integrated mobile EHR application with the goals of implementing an environment that is user-friendly, implementing a patient-centered system, and increasing the hospital's competitiveness.

Government Health Images: Constitutional Challenges Miss the Mark

Legislation requiring the display of emotionally compelling graphic imagery in medical and public health contexts is on the rise – two examples include the FDA’s recently abandoned tobacco labeling regulations, which would have imposed images of diseased lungs and cancerous lesions on cigarette packaging, and state laws requiring physicians to display and describe ultrasound images to women seeking abortions. This Article highlights the disconnect between the constitutional challenges to these laws, which focus on perils of compelling speakers to communicate messages with which they may disagree, and the public’s primary objections, which are grounded in ethical concerns about the state’s reliance on emotion to persuade. This Article argues that, despite inconsistent judicial precedent in the tobacco and ultrasound contexts, concerns about the emotional impact of images on viewers can and should be incorporated in First and Fourteenth Amendment analyses. In making this argument, the Article relies on the body of First Amendment jurisprudence in which the Supreme Court suggests that images are uniquely dangerous because they are less rational, less controllable, and more emotionally powerful than textual communications.[SSRN posted version is a pre-publication draft]

Communication Access to Businesses and Organizations for People with Complex Communication Needs

Human rights legislation and anti-discrimination and accessibility laws exist in many countries and through international conventions and treaties. To varying degrees, these laws protect the rights of people with disabilities to full and equal access to goods and services. Yet, the accessibility requirements of people with complex communication needs (CCN) are not well represented in the existing accessibility literature. This article describes the results of surveys completed by disability service providers and individuals with CCN due to cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and acquired disabilities. It identifies accessibility requirements for people with CCN for face-to-face communication; comprehension of spoken language; telephone communication; text and print-based communication; Internet, email, and social media interactions; and written communication. Recommendations are made for communication accessibility accommodations in regulations, guidelines, and practices.

Ideal Position for Thumb Interphalangeal Arthrodesis in the Era of Smartphones and Text Communication

The hypothesis of this study was that arthrodesis of the thumb interphalangeal joint at a degree of flexion greater than the recommended 0° to 15° in the era of widespread use of handheld devices would potentially be more beneficial for the use of these devices. For patients who rely heavily on a smart-phone or handheld device and require dominant thumb arthrodesis, thumb interphalangeal arthrodesis at an angle of 10° or 30° will neither improve nor impede their use of the device.

Development of Prototype Chat System Using Mobile Platform for Disable People

The changes given by the communication technologies will always have an enormous impact on every aspects of life, especially on how the people interact to each other. Presently all the people almost have no obstacles to communicate to each other. There have been many sophisticated communication tools that provide many functions and services. Even though the communication technology is becoming more incredible, there is not much of communication technology development and improvement for disabled people. The way they communicate have not changed much compared to normal people. Sign language is the most common method followed by writing. For the writing method, it is not really applicable since not all of them is able to write. Yet, for the last a few years, they frequently use Short Message Service (SMS) as another method to communicate. It is the most popular communication technology used by the disabled people. All of them use SMS to send information in a far distance, such as to family. However, the problem emerges when it comes out to short distance communication because they usually use sign language to transfer information. It is the obstacle since not all of us understand that method. Prototype of Disabled People Chatting using mobile platform is a new method which has the power using Bluetooth conncetivity during communication process. The program supports text communication in both sides. Furthermore, the program has the power in handling hosts. It means the user could chat using method, such as one-to-one (unicast). Hopefully, the success of this project would becomes the innovation and brings the revolution for all of us, especially for disabled people.

Disability and Communication: A Consideration of Cross-disability Communication and Technology

The authors analyze the impact of marginalizing discourses surrounding disability on the design of communication options in online and virtual worlds. The primary focus is on conflict between participants in an ongoing study in Second Life, based on audio versus textual communication needs. Although the participants in the study are diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the difficulties faced in facilitating communication between the two groups reveal serious problems with current modes of live chatting which privilege one sense over the other, which would be relevant to other disabled populations. The inability to blend audio and textual communication creates an additional barrier for participants in the ongoing study in Second Life, and for visually and hearing impaired individuals who wish to use technology as a means of communicating with one another.Keywords: Disability Studies; Communication; Hearing Impairment; Vision Impairment; Discourse model of disability; Myalgic Encephalomyelitis; Accessibility

Embodying Tradition: Liturgical Performance as a Site for Interreligious Learning

Embodying Tradition: Liturgical Performance as a Site for Interreligious Learning Emma O'Donnell Theological discourse has traditionally been cognitive and verbal from start to finish; as indicated by its etymology, it communicates through the word, and these words are themselves commentary on other words. For the most part, this is also the case in interreligious theological ventures such as comparative theology, which is often based on textual studies, and in interreligious dialogue, which is generally understood to be an oral or textual communication. Yet, despite the seemingly circular entrapment of theology within propositional language, systematic verbal discourse represents only a fraction of religious faith as it is experienced by practitioners. Faith is more than intellectual assent to propositions; faith is experiential. For this reason, a theological mode or “language” that expresses a religious tradition as it is experienced may be capable of penetrating elements of faith that are not readily accessible through the traditional propositional mode of theology. A context for such a theological language is found in liturgy, where the full content of liturgical performance is not communicated by words alone, but is both formed and enacted ritually, through physical gesture, vocalization, repetition, and an engaged involvement of the person acting in time. I argue in this essay that a theological mode rooted in liturgical performance—that is, a mode that “reads” the symbolic, embodied language of liturgical performance, and that seeks to grasp and communicate its complex extra‐verbal content—has much to offer interreligious theological ventures. If liturgy is a fertile ground of religious formation and expression, it follows that situating comparative theology and interreligious dialogue in liturgy may open the door to new directions in interreligious learning. Yet, the full content of liturgy cannot be readily accessed by one outside of the religious tradition, as liturgical performance is by nature an activity bounded by tradition and the specificity of religious identity. In the pages that follow, I will talk about how this very quality paradoxically may lead to interreligious learning. The limits to understanding reveal to us something of the nature of liturgical experience, and of the incommensurability and dignity in difference of religious traditions. The implications of Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi for interreligious learning The mode of liturgical theology proposed here differs from the more widely used historical and textual methods of liturgical studies. Maintaining that the meaning of liturgical performance exceeds its verbal content, and that its full significance comes to be in the enactment of liturgy, this approach uses the experience of liturgical performance as its data. Rather than reading only the liturgical text, it reads the “text” of the performance or enactment, allowing the liturgy itself to speak theologically. The notion of letting liturgical performance speak for itself rests on the idea that liturgy does not merely express previously developed theological views, but forms these views through its enactment. This is expressed by the ancient adage lex orandi, lex credendi, originally formulated by Prosper of Aquitaine as ut legem credendi lex statuat supplicandi. While the adage in its original context was intended against Semi‐Pelagians and referred specifically to liturgical intercessions, in later usage, the phrase was reworded as lex orandi, lex credendi and took on a broader meaning, signifying the more general idea that belief is formed through liturgy. According to this concept, the voice of religious belief is spoken first in liturgical performance. In other words, liturgical performance forms belief and cultivates it through the enactment of believing. The adage implies that liturgy may be seen as a sort of catechism in action, and this bears an important implication for interreligious learning: if liturgy forms and speaks belief, liturgical performance may be a voice in dialogue, speaking our belief for us. The suggestion that a ritual might speak for us, or that “we” could be considered a collective that may be spoken for as a whole, may initially seem to rob the individual of uniqueness and to replace the free individual with a codified type or a mute participant. However, the idea that liturgical performance speaks belief for us implies less a loss of uniqueness than it does a sense of interconnection, through awareness of the continuity of tradition, transmitted...