Textual Features of Intercultural Internet Chat between Learners of Japanese and English

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that Information Communication Technologies such as chat can create a natural context for learner independence, and a means of extending opportunities for interaction, seen as important in major theories of Second Language Acquisition. However, as a developing variety of interaction, Internet chat has unique linguistic and interactional features that are distinct from either oral or written communication. This study aims to examine the textual features of Japanese? English intercultural Internet chat through one specific software application, MSN Messenger, and also to explore the ways in which non-native speakers use this medium as an opportunity for communication with native speakers, and language learning.