
Conversing in the Metaverse
The Embodied Future of Online Communication
Jieun Kiaer(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
Published on 19. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
264 pages
978-1-350-33855-5 (ISBN)
Description
How do metaverse technologies change how we communicate with each other? This book explores how existing metaverse technologies affect our communication, both verbal and non-verbal, as well as the ramifications of these effects.
Communication is central to the human experience, and how we currently communicate (and will communicate) can affect our sense of identity and relationships with others, which can have huge long term societal repercussions. Utilising methods of digital ethnography and linguistic landscape, this book takes an in-depth look at what exactly the metaverse is-or will be-and tracks the technological and societal trends that surround it. To do so, it questions what differentiates the metaverse from earlier connected virtual worlds like World of Warcraft or Second Life, and features extracts from interviews with the users and developers of current metaverses, such as Roblox, Minecraft, and Gather.town. It also investigates the impact of the pandemic in changing and accelerating how we communicate in virtual spaces.
Communication is central to the human experience, and how we currently communicate (and will communicate) can affect our sense of identity and relationships with others, which can have huge long term societal repercussions. Utilising methods of digital ethnography and linguistic landscape, this book takes an in-depth look at what exactly the metaverse is-or will be-and tracks the technological and societal trends that surround it. To do so, it questions what differentiates the metaverse from earlier connected virtual worlds like World of Warcraft or Second Life, and features extracts from interviews with the users and developers of current metaverses, such as Roblox, Minecraft, and Gather.town. It also investigates the impact of the pandemic in changing and accelerating how we communicate in virtual spaces.
Reviews / Votes
A valuable resource that gives meaningful answers to what the metaverse is, what it means for humanity, and what we need to prepare for the coming trend. * Young-Sung Kwon, Dong-A University, South Korea *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
11 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
404 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-33855-5 (9781350338555)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2024
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€31.99
Available for download

E-Book
07/2024
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€31.99
Available for download
Person
Jieun Kiaer is Professor of Korean Language and Linguistics at the University of Oxford, UK.
Content
List of Figures
Preface
Acknowledgements
Note on the Text
1. Into the Metaverse
2. Inhabitants of the Metaverse
3. Metaverse Diversity
4. Immersive Communication
5. Metaverse Psychology
6. Learning in the Metaverse
7. Case Studies
8. Future of the Metaverse
References
Index
Preface
Acknowledgements
Note on the Text
1. Into the Metaverse
2. Inhabitants of the Metaverse
3. Metaverse Diversity
4. Immersive Communication
5. Metaverse Psychology
6. Learning in the Metaverse
7. Case Studies
8. Future of the Metaverse
References
Index