TO BE OR NOT TO BE: AN EXPLORATION OF E-PRIME, COPULA DELETION AND FLAMING IN ELECTRONIC MAIL

The efficacy of the general semantics technique of E-Prime was explored in this study of copula deletion (omission of auxiliary verbs) and "flaming" (the fervent exchange of emotionally charged messages) in electronic mail. Copula deletion and flaming have been previously identified as characteristics of computer-mediated communication, while E-Prime is a general semantics technique that employs a deliberate alteration of language similar to copula deletion. If E-Prime can improve communication effectiveness and reduce misunderstandings, can copula deletion reduce the frequency of flaming in electronic mail? Or is the value of E-Prime to be found in the intent to alter linguistic habits, rather than the alteration itself? To explore these questions, a computer program was developed that administered an interactive questionnaire to 214 users of an electronic mail system at a major university. Results showed that less than half of those surveyed were aware of either copula deletion or flaming in electronic mail. The most frequently cited motivation for copula deletion was the desire to write messages quickly. No statistically significant relationship was found between copula deletion and flaming in electronic mail, leading the authors to conclude that omission of the verb "to be" does not by itself convey the advantages of E-Prime.