ONLINE IDENTITIES ON BLOGS
ONLINE IDENTITIES ON BLOGS

Summary/Abstract: In this paper we argue that blogs are virtual spaces where users’ identities are revealed, interpreted and re-interpreted by means of language. Users belong to different backgrounds and on many blogs there is a mixture of cultural identities. Hence, users succeed in interacting with people all over the world in just one space. At the same time, they create an online persona, permanently taking into account alterity, sharing information and expecting other users’ contribution. Therefore, blogs involve not only the process of self-creation, but also re-shaping other users’ identity. The blogger is implicitly in constant public exposure, a natural aspect for nowadays society and for the digital medium. Moreover, even if this is an impressive narration at a global scale, all pieces of information posted by users represent small parts of a Rubik cube. They can change position, form different structures and be part of a coherent whole, but still preserve their specificity. For instance, all bloggers are connected to other bloggers, all links/videos/commercials/ideas etc. they make public, can be used by others. In order to highlight the cultural diversity encountered on blogs, we compare Romanian, English and French users, presenting similarities and differences in their ways of creating cultural identities.

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