In digital communication, the acronym “lol” has taken on a life of its own, beyond its original meaning of “laugh out loud.” It has evolved into a multifaceted linguistic tool used for a variety of purposes. Michelle A. McSweeneyResearchers at Columbia University have thoroughly investigated this phenomenon, revealing how “lol” plays an important role as a marker of non-verbal power, especially in text messaging.
Nonverbal coercion refers to the intended effect of a statement, such as making a request or command. A “lol” can indicate that you shouldn't take what is said too seriously, to lessen the impact of a critical comment or to show agreement or understanding. Overall, “lol” is an interesting example of how language can evolve and adapt to new technologies and social contexts.
Evolution of “lol”: Beyond laughter
“Lol” began life as a laughing acronym, but its usage has evolved far beyond its original purpose. Scholars have proposed various interpretations of its function. Some argue that “lol” adds a positive tone to the message, while others consider it to be a vocal particle that facilitates discourse negotiation or indicates empathy. What is consistent, however, is the recognition that “lol” means more than just a laugh.
Analysis of discourse functions
McSweeney's research delves into the diverse functions of “lol” by examining its occurrence in different discourse contexts. We compared messages with and without “lol” and tagged them with their respective discourse functions (flirting, empathy, requests, emotional expression, physical communication, etc.). Through in-depth analysis, hypotheses were developed and applied to selected datasets to reveal the nuanced role of “lol” in digital interactions.
Findings: indirect speech acts
According to McSweeney's research, people primarily use the acronym “lol” in indirect speech acts. These are messages whose literal meaning is different from their intended purpose. For example, people use “lol” when they want to flirt, express empathy, or make an uncertain statement. But “lol” usually doesn't exist when people want to communicate directly and openly, such as expressing love, making direct statements, or sharing something fun.
Interpretation of indirect communication
When people use the acronym “lol” in a message, they are usually trying to convey a message beyond its literal meaning. It's called an “Illocutionary Force Indicating Device,” and it's a fancy way of saying that people use “lol” as a tool to convey social cues in digital conversations. Because text messages lack the nonverbal and auditory cues of face-to-face communication, people use “lol” to add meaning to their messages. This shows how creative and visual text-based interactions can be, and how people are adapting to the limitations and possibilities of digital communication platforms.
McSweeney's research revealed that “lol” is an important element of indirect communication in text messaging. By using “lol,” the sender invites the recipient to interpret the message within a broader social context, encouraging them to “read between the lines.” This nuanced use of language facilitates social interaction and understanding in digital spaces where practical meaning often exceeds literal interpretation.