Journal of Business and Technical Communication Jul 2010

Activity Theory, Speech Acts, and the ‘‘Doctrine of Infelicity’’: Connecting Language and Technology in Globally Networked Learning Environments

Lisa D. McNair ; Marie C. Paretti

Abstract

This article draws on activity theory, politics of the artifact, and speech act theory to analyze how language practices and technology interplay in establishing the social relationships necessary for globally networked teams. Specifically, it uses activity theory to examine how linguistic infelicities and the politics of communication technologies interplay in virtual meetings, thereby demonstrating the importance of grounding professional communication instruction in social as well as technical effectiveness. That is, students must learn not only how to communicate technical concepts clearly and concisely and recognize cultural differences but also how to use language and choose media in ways that produce the social conditions necessary for effective collaboration in globally networked environments. The article analyzes two case studies—a workplace and a classroom—that illustrate how the mediating functions of language and the politics of technology intersect as mediating tools in globally networked activity systems. It then traces the implications of that intersection for professional communication theory and pedagogy.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2010-07-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651910363275
Open Access
Closed
Topics
genre theory professional writing race and writing multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (8)

  1. Pihlaja (2022)
    Everyday Ethics at the Border: Normative Ethics for the 21st Century
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  2. Pihlaja (2020)
    Inventing Others in Digital Written Communication: Intercultural Encounters on …
    Written Communication
  3. Campbell et al. (2017)
    Rhetorical Move Structure in High-Tech Marketing White Papers
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Hart (2016)
    Learning How to Speak Like a “Native”
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  5. McNely et al. (2015)
    Contemporary Research Methodologies in Technical Communication
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 8 →
  1. Frith (2014)
    Social Network Analysis and Professional Practice: Exploring New Methods for Re…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Jones (2014)
    Switching in Twitter’s Hashtagged Exchanges
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Spinuzzi (2011)
    Losing by Expanding
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

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