Abstract:
The present study aims at examining the components of "the 18+ zone" camfrog interaction as a speech event using Hymes' SPEAKING grid as a framework and to analyzing linguistic devices adopted by male and female camfrog participants. The data elicited are interactions from 4 chat rooms of the 18+ zone camfrog. An analysis of the speech event reveals that there are 4 components of the speech event that play a significant role in allowing an explicit obscene interaction to take place. The 4 components are 1. Scene 2. Participants 3. Ends and 4. Norms of interaction and norms of interpretation. An analysis of linguistic devices adopted by male and female participants indicates that male participants prefer to use 3 devices including (1) using directives, (2) pleasing or making the female participants feel good, and (3) displeasing. The device of using directive can be further categorized into 2 subtypesusing direct and indirect directives. The device of pleasing can also be classified into 4 subtypescomplimenting or flattering, showing love and affection, paying attention and expressing concern. The device of displeasing can be subdivided into 3 subtypes(1) challenging (2) criticizing and (3) threatening. As for the female participants, they adopt 4 linguistic devices in response to the males. These strategies include (1) refusal, (2) compliance, (3) negotiation, and (4) pretense of not understanding the intent of the other party. A further analysis shows that the linguistic devices used as a response to the males pleasing can be divided into 3 strategies- (1) refusal, (2) compliance and (3) negotiation. Regarding the linguistic devices used as a response to the males device of displeasing, there are 2 subcategories including (1) counterattack and (2) agreement. The findings confirm the hypothesis that there are various linguistic strategies adopted by males and females participants to interact with each other. The present study reveals that the "18+ zone" camfrog program allows an interaction that does not comply with the Thai norms of interaction as well as societal norms. And this is due to the components of the speech event especially the norms of the camfrog agreed by all of the participants.