THE COMMUNICATIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF LETTERS IN EPISTOLARY DISCOURSE
Keywords:
epistolary discourse, letter, communication, interaction, interpersonal relationships, authenticity, digital communication.Abstract
Epistolary discourse, traditionally associated with written correspondence in the form of letters, remains a significant mode of human communication. Despite technological advances that have transformed interpersonal interaction, the letter continues to embody distinctive communicative values such as intimacy, authenticity, and dialogical structure. This article examines the communicative significance of letters within epistolary discourse, focusing on their role as a medium for personal expression, social interaction, cultural documentation, and the construction of interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, it compares traditional letter writing with modern digital communication to highlight both continuity and transformation in communicative practices.
References
Barton, D., & Hall, N. (2000). Letter Writing as a Social Practice. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Baron, N. S. (2024). Always On: Language in an Online and Mobile World. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Stanley, L. (2024). Documents of Life Revisited: Narrative and Biographical Methodology for a XXI Century Critical Humanism. Aldershot: Ashgate.
