Since 2013, voice messages can be sent using messaging services such as WhatsApp. Thus, the oral information transfer enters the digital messenger communication, which was previously exclusively based in written form. In German research of communication and linguistics, there are few scientists who have so far dealt with voice messages. They present a new challenge for the media linguistic conception of digital communication, as they fall into a gap between oral and written language utterances. The linguistics professor Katharina König emphasizes this decisive new aspect: "With the integration of voice messages[...] media orality enters the non-simultaneous, quasi-synchronous messenger communication." Voice messages bring a kind of ‘answering machine’ option to messenger chats. How does this change digital communication? What are the social functions for the interpersonal exchange of them?
These questions were investigated as part of a qualitative research, for which 20 international students between the ages of 20 and 34 were interviewed in Paris and Sofia. The selection of this sample favors the preservation of a homogeneous group of young adults in the same life situation. The research results showed that, despite the different countries of origin, the students have a similar usage of voice messages. The main benefit of voice messages is that they can be sent faster and easier and are therefore particularly practical in stressful situations. The speed allows more complex information to be recorded in less time. Furthermore, the increased emotionality through one's own voice and consequently a bigger intimacy between two chat partners, play an important role in the social functions of voice messages.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Aims of the study
1.2 The procedure of the work
2 State of research on voice messages
2.1 Definition
2.2 Functionality in different messenger apps
2.3 International usage of voice messages
2.4 Quantitative studies about the use of voice messages
3 Theoretical classification of voice messages
3.1 Between orality and literacy
3.2 Monolog or dialog?
3.3 Paraverbal characteristics
4 Empirical study of voice messages
4.1 Procedure and selection of the sampling
4.2 Method
4.3 Guideline and category formation
5 Evaluation of results
5.1 Category 1: Practicability and speed
5.1.1 For the sender
5.1.2 For the receiver
5.1.3 For the length of the message
5.1.4 Summary and discussion of results
5.2 Category 2: Complexity of the message
5.2.1 Content
5.2.2 Language
5.2.3 Summary and discussion of results
5.3 Category 3: Emotionality and intimacy
5.3.1 Emotionality
5.3.2 Intimacy with the recipient
5.3.3 Intimacy in relation to the place of reception
5.3.4 Summary and discussion of results
6 Conclusions
6.1 Summary
6.2 A prospect: potentials of voice message research
Objectives & Research Focus
This master thesis investigates the social functions and communicative benefits of voice messages within the messenger app interactions of international students. By employing a qualitative, explorative research approach, the study aims to understand why students choose voice recordings over traditional text-based communication and how this medium impacts their interpersonal relationships and everyday digital exchange.
- The role of multitasking and time pressure in the preference for voice messages.
- The influence of message complexity on the decision to use audio versus text.
- The impact of foreign language proficiency and cultural background on voice message usage.
- The significance of emotionality and intimacy in creating social closeness via audio snippets.
- The classification of voice messages between the poles of orality and literacy within media linguistics.
Excerpt from the Book
5.1.1 For the sender
For more than half of the respondents, voice messages have a practical use that relates to their own situation at the time of recording. The majority of respondents use this feature when they are on the move or under time pressure. This allows them to do something else on the side, for example walk to university, cook or drive a car. This multitasking factor is a crucial benefit in the everyday exchange with their messenger contacts. This is made possible by the multifunctionality of the smartphone, which can be used both to listen to information and to produce and transmit information itself using the microphone.
Voice recording is particularly useful for students on the move, for example when it is raining or snowing outside. The fact that the recording button only needs to be pressed briefly and then slid up for locking eliminates the need to look at the screen and tap. The only weather condition that would be detrimental to record a message is when it is too windy as it can affect the intelligibility of the spoken voice. In general, attention must also be paid to outside noise, such as traffic or the backdrop, so that all information can be transmitted.
The time saved in stressful situations is repeatedly mentioned in the interviews. The aspects of time effectiveness and multitasking are important, because when a person is under time pressure, they try to do as many things as possible at the same time or in the shortest possible time. But can voice messages really save that much time? In a self-conducted test, it was proven that information can be transmitted by voice message three times faster than written or three times more information can be packed in one minute. For writing a text message that takes 60 seconds, speaking the same text in a voice message took only 20 seconds. Of course, it also depends on the writing or speaking speed and whether the sender knows what he wants to write or say as well as how to formulate it.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the relevance of voice messages in modern digital society and defines the research aim of exploring their social functions for international students.
2 State of research on voice messages: Provides an overview of technical messenger functions, international usage statistics, and existing academic literature on audio recordings.
3 Theoretical classification of voice messages: Analyzes voice messages using communication-theoretical models, specifically focusing on the dichotomy of orality and literacy as well as monological versus dialogical features.
4 Empirical study of voice messages: Describes the qualitative methodology, participant selection, and the structure of the semi-structured guideline interviews used to gather data.
5 Evaluation of results: Evaluates findings across three central categories: practicability/speed, message complexity, and emotionality/intimacy.
6 Conclusions: Summarizes the study’s findings, reflects on the research limitations, and proposes potential areas for future scholarly investigation.
Keywords
Voice messages, Messenger apps, Digital communication, Media linguistics, Orality and literacy, Interpersonal relationships, International students, Multitasking, Emotionality, Intimacy, Qualitative research, Social functions, WhatsApp, Smartphone usage, Language barriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this thesis?
The thesis explores the social functions of voice messages within messenger apps, specifically focusing on how and why international students utilize this mode of communication in their daily lives.
What are the primary thematic pillars?
The study centers on three main pillars: the practical benefits and speed of voice messages, their role in conveying complex information, and their influence on emotionality and interpersonal intimacy.
What is the main research question?
The study asks: What are the social functions of voice messages for international students, and what benefits do they offer in comparison to text messages or traditional phone calls?
Which methodology was applied?
The research is qualitative and explorative, based on 20 semi-structured guideline interviews conducted with international students residing in Paris and Sofia.
What aspects are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the classification of voice messages between oral and written language, the technical and social reasons for their use, and an evaluation of how they affect the relationship between sender and receiver.
Which key terms describe this research?
Essential keywords include digital orality, quasi-synchronous communication, involvement shields, linguistic mediation, and cross-cultural messenger usage.
How does message length influence usage?
Respondents generally aim to keep voice messages between 30 seconds and two minutes; excessive length is often perceived as an imposition or a strain on the recipient's working memory.
Does the recording environment affect the message content?
Yes, the location plays a significant role. Public recordings can lead to self-censorship or a preference for non-sensitive topics, whereas private environments allow for more intimate exchanges.
Why do students prefer voice messages over calls?
Voice messages offer "involvement shields," allowing users to avoid the real-time interactional obligations of a phone call while still maintaining a personal, auditory connection.
- Quote paper
- Lisa Fritsch (Author), 2019, "Listening to your mum’s voice can make your day". An explorative study about the social functions of voice messages in messaging apps for international students, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/511680
