Expert: Ralph Salier - 7/30/2005

Question
I have taken up an interest in human behaviour and the elements that drive us to act the way we do. Body language and other forms of communication have been an interest to me and as of late I have thought about IRC "Instant relay chat: msn, icq, aim" and how such things as body language would be express. One characteristic I perform over an IRC is stating a name of a person in the chat conversation when there is only two people present, erica and myself. The other is the oppisite of sex and 2 years younger than me. I know her personaly and only recently started hanging out. A few examples of my using her name would be:
-Erica r u going to the party tonight?
-I understand what you mean Erica.
-Hey Erica, i'll cwyl k. :P (cwyl = chat with you later)

I was curious why i would have developed this habit and the reason I do it. If by some chance you can not answer my question would it be possible to be pointed in the right direction to somewhere that my questions and study of this area be furthered.

Also if you know of any text that relate to human behaviour in IRCs I would much appriciate any recommendations you have.

Thank you for you time

Answer
Hi Mathew.  

The study of non-verbal communications in humans is a small sub field of Anthropology.  Over the years I have closely studied non-verbal body language and social distancing (social distancing is called proximics).  Non verbal body language spans a wide range from gestures like the "bird or the middle finger" to the more complex use of ASL (American Sign Language) to how we stand, sit and hold ourselves.  All of which can be a good indicator of how we really feel regardless of what we are saying.  

When it comes to the verbal communications of the new "cell phone English" or other symbols, this falls into the realm of linguistics rather then body language.  The only exception to this is the use of symbolic faces in such communications eg, the smile, frown, suprize etc...  

Your curiosity is rooted in your discovery of an area of human behavior and biology that most people outwardly ignore but inwardly is an important factor in how we listen, believe what someone is saying, and how we react to what is said.  In other words we all "see" this nonvebal language being used but on a subconsious level and if it matches with what is being said then we believe but if it runs contrary we don't.  We learn to understand non-verbals very early on before we learn to speak.  Once we learn how to speak, we forget about the other parts of language.  

As for IRC, there are a few linguists who are begining to look at the development of this as a form of English or other languages.  It is currently viewed as a "pidgion" language or a "made up language" with roots in the general language base.  

If you are interested in non-verbal communications then one of the "fathers of this field of study" is Edward T. Hall.  He has written several very interesting books and was the basis of my own studies in the field.

If you have any further question you may contact me via my email address at rsalier@hotmail.com  Use the word "proximics" in the subject line.