GIFs in online written interaction: embodied cues and beyond

Abstract

Recent research has characterized GIFs as a means for speakers to reproduce non-linguistic cues such as bodily actions and facial expressions in online written interaction, which is first and foremost text-based. They make it possible to translate in digital interaction what those non-linguistic cues enable to do in face-to-face conversation: express emotion and affect, and elaborate on what is being said. This article explores further the role and functions of GIFs as embodied cues and goes beyond, where GIF use diverges from body language in face-to-face conversation.