Yiqiong Zhang, Ashley R. Dainas

Dialogues about Graphicons in Digital Communication: Introduction to the Special Issue

Introduction

Dialogues about graphicons in digital communication: introduction to the special issue. Explore interdisciplinary research on graphicons in digital communication. This special issue covers their use, understanding, and processing in online contexts from linguistic and semiotic perspectives.

Abstract

This special issue is an interdisciplinary space where scholars from different specializations share their research on how graphicons are used, understood, and processed in online communication. Perspectives represented include CMDA, semiotics, linguistics, and communication. Each article draws on a different kind of data, and different graphicon types are included. In this introduction, we introduce the articles in the special issue and outline potential directions for future graphicon research

Review

This special issue, "Dialogues about Graphicons in Digital Communication," immediately signals a highly relevant and contemporary focus within digital communication studies. The abstract outlines an ambitious scope, positioning the collection as an "interdisciplinary space" where scholars from diverse specializations—including CMDA, semiotics, linguistics, and communication—converge. This commitment to interdisciplinary dialogue is a significant strength, promising a nuanced and comprehensive exploration of graphicons, which are increasingly integral to online interaction. The initiative to bring these varied perspectives together is commendable and timely, addressing a research area experiencing rapid evolution and increasing scholarly attention. A key strength promised by the abstract lies in the empirical breadth of the contributions. The indication that "each article draws on a different kind of data" and includes "different graphicon types" suggests a robust and varied approach to the subject matter. This diversity is crucial for capturing the multifaceted nature and function of graphicons across various digital contexts, moving beyond a narrow disciplinary or methodological lens. Furthermore, the explicit aim of the introduction to "outline potential directions for future graphicon research" is particularly valuable, positioning the special issue not merely as a collection of current findings but as a foundational text designed to stimulate and guide subsequent inquiry in this burgeoning field. While the abstract effectively conveys the scope and promise of the special issue, the introduction itself would ideally delve deeper into the theoretical and methodological challenges inherent in studying graphicons. Given the interdisciplinary nature, the introduction could benefit from a more explicit discussion of how these diverse approaches collectively address, or perhaps highlight, the complexities of graphicon interpretation, usage, and processing. Articulating the specific theoretical or empirical gaps that this special issue collectively aims to fill would further underscore its unique contribution. Nonetheless, this special issue appears poised to be a significant and enriching addition to the literature on digital communication.

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