Content Details | NUML Online Research Repository

Title PRAGMATICS OF TROLLING: ANALYSIS OF NEWS ARTICLES AND COMMENT THREADS OF ONLINE NEWSPAPER SITES

Author(s) SYEDA FOUZIA JAMEEL

Abstract Speech Act theory proposes that language is an autonomous and rule governing system, things which we say take their meaning from their inherent types i.e., questions, promises, statements and declarations. Language has been used in multiple ways keeping in consideration the immediate context, messages are delivered in indirect manner by saying something and meaning something else. The use of language and nature of electronic medium together creates multiple online behaviors, which are from polite to harsh nature. The focus of present study was negative behavior of trolling in news websites. This study used data from third largest media group Dawn, ranging from months of July to September 2018, news articles to examine negatively marked online behavior of trolling in articles and their comments. It examined the pragmatic factors which transforms the parameters of any discussion into different direction which are unnecessary and irrelevant. Language expressions, illocutionary forces, perlocutionary effects and interpersonal relationships are used as measures to explore the insight of this negative linguistic behavior. The study employed the techniques of content analysis, used John Langshaw Austin’s framework of Speech Act theory, and explored the dimensions of trolling in sample of twenty articles and their comment threads. The context of research was language and technology. The study as a whole found out, language in non-physical conflictive and disturbing situation is used in same manner as used in aggressively tense physical situation. It uncovered eleven categories of criticism, aggression, allegation, provocation, rejection, challenge, disagreement, failure, disappointment, disturbance, and hatred. Theuse of metaphors, analogy, paradox, euphemism, circumlocution, and sarcasm turns discussion into trolling.Pragmatic framework pursued in research supported in recognizing the notion even though aggression and conflict appear through other means but are essentially realized through language.The findings suggested that anonymous nature of internet has conspicuous role in facilitating this type of behavior, it acts as protective shield and allows freedom of completely different nature.

Type Thesis/Dissertation MS

Faculty Languages

Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2021-04-08

Subject

Publisher

Contributor(s)

Format

Identifier

Source

Relation

Coverage

Rights