Digital Silence: The Pragmatic Functions of Non-Response In Emails Among EFL Users

Abstract

       This research deals with the pragmatic functions such as digital silence which is used in the emails as one of computer- mediated communication ways in social, academic, private or even professional discourses. Digital silence provides speed and amenity to keep communication in different places and time. EFL users of English  such as instructors, clients or colleagues tend to use this type of communication among different parts of the world. This research explains digital silence in communication by using politeness theory, pragmatic functions of silence, and EFL communication and email uses. The pragmatic functions are explained by constructing some perceptions of non- response through different contexts and different cultures and by giving some examples to explain how these cultural norms influence non- response behavior. The research also mentions three basic functions that silence depends on: a/ interactive- regulating turn- taking or signaling readiness to listen; b/ affective- expressing emotions such as anger, disappointment, or empathy; and c/ social- maintaining, social hierarchies or norms. The importance of this research shows how silence can be a means of communication within the digital context. Digital silence in emails is discussed through the concept of politeness theory.

       In the methodological part of this research, the research depends on qualitative design, a mixed- methods item, and descriptive analysis to know the occurrences of identified silence functions in the collected emails. The sample of 30 emails are taken from different participants in different countries. The research also collects data from email corpus and semi- structured interviews. Thematic analysis and quantitative descriptive analysis are conducted to analyze the data of collected emails. Four pragmatic functions are addressed in the research which are politeness and face- saving, avoidance or deferral, refusal or rejection, and power assertion or status signaling.

     Finally, important findings and conclusions are made and the references of this research are authenticated.