Identity Constructions through Language in Virtual Community

摘要

This paper aims to examine the role of language used in female daily forums to construct the identity of the Suhu. Since, the absence of face to face communication in this virtual community, leaves only text and image in the forum as the only identity (discourse) understood by other forum members. Suhu refers to a special member who has ability to answer problems of other members about products from a certain brand. There are bluepanda the suhu for Sulwashoo; Nate88, the suhu for Erha21 and snowyland, the suhu for Secretkey. They constructed their identity in the forum so that other members trusted them and even mistook bluepanda for a beauty advisor from Sulwashoo. We use Foucault's perspective of discourse. Identity according to Foucault requires recognition from others, formed by a series of opinions which involve confirmation, in this case by other forum members. 4 categories are found, as the content generated by the Suhu. (1) all uploaded information related to brands/products, (2) Suhu's opinions on brands/products, (3) information link and (4) venting and solution giving. The other member recognize the Suhu from the content that they generate. They use language that has permitted to use by Femaledaily Network as the company who owns the forum. The usage of slangs which are comfortable to use is considered important. It is even include as a strategy to draw more members.