Despite of its many benefits, online communication can produce misunderstanding between the communicators. In a routine and face-to-face communication, we are posed to not only utter our ideas by verbal expression, but also through implicit means which are embedded in face to face communication. The tone of voice, the emotions reflected in facial expression, and the body language also come to help to polish or catalyze the meaning and concepts which are conveyed by verbal conversation (obviously, it is added to many of other factors in our appearances including physical attractiveness, age, dress, and many more…). With a smile we can emphasize that our statement meant to be humorous. By louder than usual or a shaking voice (along with a frowning face), others may realize that we are nervous, mad or upset when we talk about a particular topic.
As we only deal with texts and written phrases, such facilitating factors usually are absent in an online communication. In a typical online discussion therefore, the emotions involved in the message may be missed and we may hardly be able to ‘read between the lines’.
Non-verbal cues can transform the emotional components of the expressed statements. Without them the statement may be in the position of being misunderstood. How many times we surprised to see that the comment which meant to be humorous is taken seriously and at times offensively?
In despite, usage of Smiley faces such as :-) or other iconic expressions are becoming increasingly popular. In a scientifically-written material, use of smiley faces might not seem to be necessary, as these types of writings are emotionally neutral. However, for sites such as Iranian.com, due to usually feverish and emotionally-charged articles, blogs and consequent discussions; use of smiley faces and icons should be taken more seriously. Unfortunately, I believe they are generally underestimated and not used by everyone. Others may not be aware of these icons in the first place.
Since we -the Iranians- are very emotional people, use of smiley faces seems to be greatly useful, fantastic and bombastic. As a matter of fact, I can predict that in the near future, we will use smiley faces as the only usable script for our communications. The following is a paragraph written by iconic signs and smiley faces and I am sure that many of you will be able to decode it or read it.
*_00+ @ _): & : =))) :. _+# ; -) , ? –( ;ooo+’),, :o ‘!, ^;”-(/<. ;-< ./’’ *”:=O. 8-{ B-) .:\-). :-9 <_8,:;-)0””[: -;-)?><<M:<+<O_O_[+:_+:_?:”>>”.:-c:t=OO* S:-:(.
Among those who correctly decode the above script, three people will randomly be selected and no prize will be given to them. They don’t need it I guess.
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Captain, application of
by persian westender on Wed May 06, 2009 09:39 PM PDTCaptain, application of these various forms of asses in the new proposed cyber-language is unlikely. However, we reserve them in the appendix part of the encyclopedia, just in case some people would like to asspeak :-D
Natalia: I personally like smiling first, and then tongue sticking out. It makes me feel better :-)))
che?
by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on Wed May 06, 2009 07:35 PM PDTHey! Mine are very mild compared to capt_ayhab. I was just sticking out my tongue at PW and then smiled.
Yes, I know, how immature of me. hahahaha
blushing !
by capt_ayhab on Wed May 06, 2009 09:17 AM PDT(_!_) = Normal @ss
(__!__) = Fat @ss
(!) = Tight @ss[or Fengheli @ss]
(_*_) = Soar @ss
(_0_) = @ss that has been arround
(_e=mc2_) = Smart @ss
-YT
...........
by Majid on Wed May 06, 2009 12:07 AM PDTاین «کُد ها» منو یاد یک جوک انداخت که باید بگم......
یه بنده خدا که نابینا بوده میره تو آشپزخونه اش و یک کشو رو باز میکنه و دست میکشه به اطراف و محتویات کشو........دستش میره روی "رنده".......لمس میکنه......یه خورده پس و پیش میره.......با کنجکاوی دوباره لمس میکنه......یکهو با عصبانیت فریاد میکشه که........این دری وری ها و مزخرفات رو کدوم بی پدر و مادری اینجا نوشته؟؟
کاپیتان،
persian westenderTue May 05, 2009 09:51 PM PDT
کاپیتان، حرفای بد بد نداشتیم ها؟!!خودت باید بگی، من روم نمیشه!!:-D
decifer these !
by capt_ayhab on Tue May 05, 2009 02:54 PM PDT(_!_)
(__!__)
(!)
(_*_)
(_0_)
(_e=mc2_)
-YT
PW.............:op :o) lol
by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on Mon May 04, 2009 07:22 PM PDTناتاليا
PW, I agree with you
by Nilo Siavashi on Mon May 04, 2009 06:27 PM PDTPW, I just wanted to write that I agree with what you wrote about constructive criticism and basically all you wrote in your last comment addressed to me. :-)
Mrs: I never thought of
by persian westender on Mon May 04, 2009 05:21 PM PDTMrs: I never thought of that..good point!
Nilo: I’m not sure what I’m saying is very relevant to your comment or to online communication, as it seems to me as a general matter in and out of cyberspace. But I always believe that by criticizing someone, people in fact do a big favour to them. Not to mention that, this criticizing is only constructive, when it is not mean, and is not a way for belittling someone or not an excuse for proving hidden personal agenda of the criticizer. On the other hand some people take any criticizing message as an insult and attack to their fragile egos. Apparently, for the one who dishes out more often, the same capacity of being criticized should be existed. Otherwise, they have real problems and agree with you that these people should be avoided.
dear Mina dadvar, the numbers are striking! Intersting.
People who dish it out the most, are the most easily offended
by Nilo Siavashi on Mon May 04, 2009 01:08 PM PDTThis comment is not about smiley faces. One thing I have noticed in my online communication is that many times, people who are the most outrageous in their own writings/comments, are the ones most easily offended when you try to respond to them. In my online communication, if I am communicating with someone who is a writer who freely criticizes every one and everything, then I respond to them more freely. I don't agonize over my every word. However, sometimes, I am surprised to see the same person become very sensitive all of a sudden. To me, that does not seem right. A person who dishes it out more, should be able to take some dishing out themselves. Usually, when I get this kind of response, I just make my responses to that person more conservative and try to be more considerate of their sensitive nature. However, I make a mental note of it and I am reminded of it when I read something written by them in a very critical language.
No one thought about this
by TheMrs on Mon May 04, 2009 11:28 AM PDTNo one thought about this one???
+_)(*&^%$#@!
Bah! Inaro bash.
What!!! You’re not a doctor!!!
by BDM (not verified) on Mon May 04, 2009 09:22 AM PDTAll that time I thought you were a doctor. You could’ve clarified the misunderstanding a long time ago. So for the record, what is your qualification for giving advice in regard to marital issues?
Never the less, I’ll try to look up your references. However even what you have said so far does not seem credible the way they are stated. I’ll give you an example of my own routine life. First thing in the morning I turn on the radio, it is set at NPR, and all I hear is WORDS coming out of the radio. Then, I turn of my computer and check my personal emails, which are all WORDS displayed on the monitor. Then, I drive myself to work while I’m listening to the radio, which as before are all WORDS coming out of the radio. At work, one of the first thing I is to check my professional email, which is again all WORDS. And then, I get on my colleagues and with words I go over what needs to be done. So, in this context, unscientifically, I’d say 99% percent of exchanges of communication have been done by words.
But, what you’re quoting that others are saying is most likely refers to two individual having an exchange with each other, which in that case I even have a problem with that, about how these thing were quantified to begin with.
BDM
by minadadvar on Mon May 04, 2009 08:32 AM PDTI can give you the names of many books/articles. However due to lack of time, I limit my suggestion to the following books:
1) Messages : The Communication Skills Book . Names of the authors : Matthew McKay, Ph.D. Martha Davis, Ph.D. Patrick Fanning. On page 53 it states "Albert Mehrabian (interestingly enough the name sounds Iranian) has found that the total impact of a message breaks down like this:
7 percent verbal (words)
38 percent vocal (volume, pitch, rythm, etc.)
55 percent body movements ( mostly facial expressions) "
The second book is Interviewing Strategies For Helpers. Authors are William Cormier and Sherilyn Cormier On page 65 you may find this statement:"In communicating, we tend to emphasize the spoken word. Yet much of the meaning of a message , 65% or more, is conveyed by our nonverbal behavior."
By the way I am not a Doctor.
Dear Doctor Dadvar
by BDM (not verified) on Mon May 04, 2009 07:26 AM PDTI'm interested to know, based on what scientific study you're saying that only 7% of communication (assuming human communication) is done through words? Thank you.
Persian Westender
by minadadvar on Mon May 04, 2009 06:46 AM PDTDear PW you are right. Only 7% of communication is done through words. The other 93% is through body language, facial expression, tone of voice.... The interesting thing is that the most common and powerful way of communicating hurt/angry feelings is silent treatment (ghahr), especially among Iranian couples .
No comment on your codes!!!! Too challenging for me.
My avatar has been automatically changed to fishes. I will fix it later.
It’s not Da Vinci code but...
by persian westender on Mon May 04, 2009 12:30 AM PDTDear Nilo: %)(_+}..._)),Q< -) However, *_Z:-} ^^:+)!
Dear Natalia: 00+-&?’-)0:’’|_) %>-**... Sorry!
Majid agha : aziz jan, yeki yeki, ,mardom aadat nadaaran hanooz...They are people's eyes in different levels of addiction to iranian.com.
just want to write two things
by Nilo Siavashi on Sun May 03, 2009 11:28 PM PDTI am too tired and have to go to bed. just two things to write:
:-Q
;-)
Name them....if you can....LOL
by Majid on Sun May 03, 2009 11:12 PM PDT1) (.) (.)
2) (O) (O)
(3) (-) (-)
4) ($) ($)
5) \o/ \o/
6) (+) (+)
7) \_/ \_/
8) ( . ) ( . )
9) (^) (^)
10) (@) (@)
11) (*) (*)
12) (x) (x)
Okay
by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on Sun May 03, 2009 10:09 PM PDTI was able to figure out most of the symbols. Do I get partial credit?
MPD and PW, assistance is needed
by Nilo Siavashi on Sun May 03, 2009 09:47 PM PDTDear MPD, I am simply not as intellectually gifted as you and/or PW. Also I am too sleepy to even try to understand MPD's poem. Something about money adds to money and brings happiness? You guys really need to write in language of rest of humanity. : - )))
MPD you're ahead of your time...
by persian westender on Sun May 03, 2009 09:28 PM PDT:-O!
:O)
by Multiple Personality Disorder on Sun May 03, 2009 09:14 PM PDT(.)(.)
\
(o)(o)
\
( O ) ( O )
/ :o) ?
$
+$ / / / :O) +$ / / / :O) +$ / / / :O)
$ ?
:-(
:-(