ELF speakers’ expert use of humor: catalyzing rapport in initial intercultural online video chat

Abstract In this digital age, platforms such as OmeTV and Omegle have transformed intercultural communication by facilitating random video chats between individuals from diverse backgrounds. English functions as a lingua franca (ELF) in these interactions, bridging cultural and linguistic divides. While research has shed light on humor’s effectiveness in easing social interactions, its specific role in initial intercultural online video chat interactions between ELF speakers remains unexplored. This study addresses this gap by investigating how humor fosters rapport between ELF speakers in this context. A purposive sampling method is used to select a subset of 25 OmeTV/Omegle video chat interactions on YouTube. These videos showcase previously unacquainted ELF speakers engaging in intercultural communication in an online video-mediated context. This study employs sequential analysis to examine the interactional dynamics of these conversations with a focus on the role of humor in fostering rapport. The analysis reveals how collaborative humor construction and early initiation of humor contribute to closer interpersonal relationships. Additionally, the cumulative escalation of humor and a unique strategy targeting humor at both speaker and recipient promote effective rapport building. These findings illuminate humor’s bridging function in initial intercultural online video chat interactions, and provide insights into digital intercultural communication dynamics and practical guidance for navigating such encounters.