37.2324, Confs: Panel at IPC20: Multimodal Pragmatics of Digital Polarization and De-escalation (Finland)

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-37-2324. Mon Jul 13 2026. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 37.2324, Confs: Panel at IPC20: Multimodal Pragmatics of Digital Polarization and De-escalation (Finland)

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Date: 11-Jul-2026
From: Ruth Karachi Benson Oji [roji at pau.edu.ng]
Subject: Panel at IPC20: Multimodal Pragmatics of Digital Polarization and De-escalation


Panel at IPC20: Multimodal Pragmatics of Digital Polarization and
De-escalation
Short Title: IPrA
Theme: Multimodal Pragmatics of Digital Polarization and De-escalation

Date: 27-Jun-2027 - 02-Jul-2027
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Meeting URL: https://pragmatics.international/page/CfP2027

Linguistic Field(s): Applied Linguistics; Discourse Analysis;
Pragmatics; Sociolinguistics; Text/Corpus Linguistics

Submission Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

Social media platforms have been increasingly marked by rising
antagonism and divisive language practices; nevertheless, pragmatics
offers unique insights into both the mechanisms driving polarization
and potential pathways toward more constructive dialogue. This panel
directly addresses the conference theme "Building Bridges" by
examining how pragmatic principles operate in multimodal digital
contexts—where text, images, emojis, formatting, and platform
affordances converge to shape meaning-making in polarized discourse.
While traditional pragmatic frameworks of politeness and face-work
(Brown & Levinson, 1987) illuminate conflict management in
face-to-face interaction, digital communication introduces distinctive
challenges. As Park (2008) demonstrates, face-threatening acts operate
differently in computer-mediated communication, where context collapse
disrupts shared understanding and algorithmic curation amplifies
division. Recent research reveals how social media platforms intensify
moral outrage and polarization through design features that reward
divisive content (Brady et al., 2021; Culpepper, 2021; Culpepper et
al., 2025). Simultaneously, multimodal elements fundamentally reshape
how pragmatic signals are produced and interpreted (Herring, 2015). A
user's choice of emoji—which carries complex pragmatic functions
beyond mere emotional expression (Weissman, 2022)—the visual framing
of an argument, or the strategic deployment of GIFs can intensify
antagonism or create unexpected opportunities for de-escalation.
Understanding these dynamics requires moving beyond text-only analysis
to examine how pragmatic principles function across modalities and
platforms.
This panel brings together empirical research employing diverse
methodologies—including corpus analysis, multimodal discourse
analysis, computational approaches, and experimental work—to
investigate questions such as:
 - How do multimodal elements function as pragmatic markers signaling
openness versus closure in divisive exchanges?
 - What strategies enable users to maintain or cross group boundaries
in politically charged discussions?
 - How do platform-specific affordances shape the pragmatic landscape
of polarized discourse?
 - What role does pragmatic competence play in digital citizenship and
online civility?
The panel promotes the interdisciplinary dialogue called for by the
conference organizers by bridging pragmatics with applied linguistics,
sociolinguistics, corpus linguistics, media studies, and social
psychology. Importantly, presentations will extend beyond descriptive
analysis to explore practical implications for platform design,
content moderation policies, and digital literacy education. We
welcome co-panelists from multiple disciplines who share our
commitment to understanding how pragmatic insights can contribute to
reducing societal divides and promoting more harmonious digital
interactions.
Please note the following regarding submission and participation:
IPrA membership is required for submitting an abstract (with all
deadlines in 2026) as well as for presenting during the conference (in
2027), and that membership always runs from 1 January to 31 December,
no matter at what time in the year it is applied for. Membership can
be arranged instantly by clicking ‘JOIN IPRA’ on top of the IPrA home
page and following all the necessary steps.
Click on this link to go to the conference website to make your
submission (remember to search for the panel "Multimodal Pragmatics of
Digital Polarization and De-escalation" when you click 'SUBMIT':
https://pragmatics.international/page/CfP2027
When given the chance to submit, you will see the options: panel
(disabled); poster; lecture; and panel contribution - this is the one
to select. You then have options to enter your title, abstract, and
choose one panel to submit to.



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