
Understanding the Language of Virtual Interaction
Communities, Knowledge, and Authority
Cambridge University Press
Published on 25. September 2025
Book
Hardback
216 pages
978-1-009-32866-1 (ISBN)
Description
Since the advent of Web 2.0, the interaction of user-generated content on participatory platforms has democratized content creation and reshaped communication, identity, authority, and knowledge across various fields, from health to politics, amid the post-truth phenomena. This timely book provides essential insights into the transformative effects of the evolving digital landscape. It gives a comprehensive analysis of how areas such as health, politics, and language ideology have been influenced by digital communication, and explores how online spaces have amplified minority voices, promoting inclusion and representation, while also addressing the backlash that challenges human rights associated with Internet use and the free exchange of information. The book also examines the intersection of law and digital crime, revealing the legal challenges posed by the online world. As our understanding of identity, knowledge, and authority increasingly intersects with Generative AI, it also discusses the impact of intelligent tools and the challenges they present.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
471 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-009-32866-1 (9781009328661)
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

Antonio Reyes | Andrew S. Ross
Understanding the Language of Virtual Interaction
Communities, Knowledge, and Authority
Book
09/2025
Cambridge University Press
€40.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
Antonio Reyes is a professor at Washington and Lee University, Virginia. His notable publications include 'Voice in Political Discourse' (2011, Continuum). Andrew S. Ross a senior lecturer at the University of Canberra. His most recent book is 'Innovations and Challenges in Social Media Discourse Analysis' (with Zappavigna, 2024, Routledge).
Content
1. Introduction; 2. Web 2, A digital revolution? 3. Digital communication and the 'post-truth' era; 4. The formation of virtual communities: types, characteristics, and participants; 5. The negotiation of meaning, knowledge, and authority online; 6. (De)Legitimization of authority in digital communication; 7. Competition with official institutions; 8. Politics and participation in the digital public sphere; 9. Human rights and social change in virtual spaces; 10. Discourse and identity in a lawless digital universe; 11. Conclusion; References; Index.