Temporality in reaction GIFs as multimodal virtual performatives
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Loukia Lindholm
Abstract
This chapter explores temporality and virtual performativity in Graphic Interchange Format images (GIFs), short, looping image sequences that may include text. Previous studies have shown that GIFs are decontextualized and recontextualized by users to perform embodied verbal and non-verbal reactions online. However, the temporal aspect of GIFs has received less attention from an online communication perspective. The chapter focuses on reaction GIFs as multimodal virtual performatives on a Tumblr blog featuring humorous political commentary. The analysis examines the temporal dimension of these performatives and shows how the Tumblr blog author exploits the temporal malleability of GIFs to anchor them in the immediate context of their usage.
Abstract
This chapter explores temporality and virtual performativity in Graphic Interchange Format images (GIFs), short, looping image sequences that may include text. Previous studies have shown that GIFs are decontextualized and recontextualized by users to perform embodied verbal and non-verbal reactions online. However, the temporal aspect of GIFs has received less attention from an online communication perspective. The chapter focuses on reaction GIFs as multimodal virtual performatives on a Tumblr blog featuring humorous political commentary. The analysis examines the temporal dimension of these performatives and shows how the Tumblr blog author exploits the temporal malleability of GIFs to anchor them in the immediate context of their usage.
Chapters in this book
- 日本言語政策学会 / Japan Association for Language Policy. 言語政策 / Language Policy 10. 2014 i
- Dedication v
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Structures in discourse 1
- Evaluation as a persuasive tactic in the 2012 Obama-Romney debates 18
- How pragmatically (in)definite are you and one ? 36
- Amazing – The use of English in texting between a Finland-Swedish high school girl and friends 58
- The uses of laughter in epideictic radio interviews 83
- Temporality in reaction GIFs as multimodal virtual performatives 103
- Emoji and illocutionarity 124
- Revisiting adaptability 156
- Vernacular voices in the public sphere 176
- Contributor bios 202
- Index 205
Chapters in this book
- 日本言語政策学会 / Japan Association for Language Policy. 言語政策 / Language Policy 10. 2014 i
- Dedication v
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Structures in discourse 1
- Evaluation as a persuasive tactic in the 2012 Obama-Romney debates 18
- How pragmatically (in)definite are you and one ? 36
- Amazing – The use of English in texting between a Finland-Swedish high school girl and friends 58
- The uses of laughter in epideictic radio interviews 83
- Temporality in reaction GIFs as multimodal virtual performatives 103
- Emoji and illocutionarity 124
- Revisiting adaptability 156
- Vernacular voices in the public sphere 176
- Contributor bios 202
- Index 205
