Understanding the Unspoken: Interpretation and Pragmatic Competence in Informal Digital Communication Among L2 Users

In informal digital communication (IDC), subtle pragmatic markers, or illocutionary markers, are used to compensate for a lack of pragmatic tools available in face-to-face conversations, such as intonation and facial expressions. This thesis explores how L2 English speakers in Dutch secondary schools interpret three types of illocutionary markers in WhatsApp messages: full stops, ellipsis, and the discourse markers “lol” and “haha”. Using a mixed-methods survey design, this study examines to what extent Dutch L2 English learners recognize illocutionary markers in English WhatsApp messages and use them to interpret tone and intent. Furthermore, it examines whether English proficiency and digital communication habits affect interpretation confidence and ambiguity recognition in these messages. The results show that these three markers significantly affect interpretation. Full stops were frequently considered formal or emotionally distant, ellipsis often expressed doubt or...Show moreIn informal digital communication (IDC), subtle pragmatic markers, or illocutionary markers, are used to compensate for a lack of pragmatic tools available in face-to-face conversations, such as intonation and facial expressions. This thesis explores how L2 English speakers in Dutch secondary schools interpret three types of illocutionary markers in WhatsApp messages: full stops, ellipsis, and the discourse markers “lol” and “haha”. Using a mixed-methods survey design, this study examines to what extent Dutch L2 English learners recognize illocutionary markers in English WhatsApp messages and use them to interpret tone and intent. Furthermore, it examines whether English proficiency and digital communication habits affect interpretation confidence and ambiguity recognition in these messages. The results show that these three markers significantly affect interpretation. Full stops were frequently considered formal or emotionally distant, ellipsis often expressed doubt or unwillingness, and “lol” and “haha” conveyed a generally positive or friendly tone, while also sometimes interpreted as sarcastic. However, interpretation of all these markers depended heavily on the sender and social context of the conversation, and meanings were often considered ambiguous, leading to varying interpretations. Interpretation confidence was generally high, and only weakly correlated with L2 proficiency, suggesting that sociopragmatic competence may be more relevant than general language proficiency for interpreting illocutionary information in IDC. The findings highlight the importance of pragmatic competence in IDC, which would be relevant to incorporate into English language education to prepare learners for English interaction in a digitally-mediated world.Show less

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Understanding the Unspoken: Interpretation and Pragmatic Competence in Informal Digital Communication Among L2 Users