Closer to far away: transcending the spatial in transnational families’ online video calling

Abstract

This paper studies how transnational children and their distantly located but emotionally close family members recreate their relationship using applications for online video calling. The focus is on the interaction of bodies and language, and if/how proximity of any kind is enabled. A critical posthumanist applied linguistics is embraced and communication is viewed as a bodily coordination ocurring in real time. This includes a material and dynamic view of language in constant transformation. Video captures are produced with three transnational, multilingual families in China and their adult relatives residing abroad (Europe). Moment analysis informs the processing of data. The analysis includes multipart semiotic assemblages of critical/creative moments and applies the Deleuzian concept of sense. The results suggest, the multi-local analogue/digital situation in online calling transcends conventionally imagined spatial 'boundaries'. Furthermore, a bodily, multisensory proximity emerge as simultaneously critical to and created by this transcending spatiality. Multi-local communicative practices shed light on the multiple, material and semiotic components of the human senses, and how a rational understanding of proximity might be twisted. Proximity constantly emerges 'in new copies' transcending the far away and close.

Relocated Employees’ Experience with the Costs and Benefits of Video Technology for Maintaining Relationships

“…This finding is supported by different findings of previous studies about how employees value staying in contact and how video technology can make this possible (Patton and Doherty 2020). Multiple studies have shown that individuals primarily use communication technologies to interact with family about their well-being, life advice, economic support, and general everyday activities (Gan 2021;Kędra 2020;Martín-Bylund and Stenliden 2020). Similarly, the findings of the current study highlight the importance of participants communicating with family members through video technology as a way to update loved ones about their well-being and day-to-day activities that might make it seem that they are close to each other despite the distance.…”

“…These findings extend the current literature about the use of video technologies. Previous research has shown how families build relationships using video chat (Gan 2021;Kędra 2020;Martín-Bylund and Stenliden 2020). The topic of families building relationships using video chat, particularly those with young children who are living away from other family members, has been explored (Gan 2021;Kędra 2020;Martín-Bylund and Stenliden 2020), including how it allows for more authentic reactions and emotions to be shared surrounding such events, as emotions and thoughts about an event can be shared as they are cognitively formed instead of being recalled after the fact (Gan 2021;Kędra 2020;Martín-Bylund and Stenliden 2020).…”

“…The frequency with which employees are relocating makes exploring employees' perception of the costs and benefits of technology for maintaining family relationships useful. In an increasingly globalized world, studies addressing work-life balance have focused on the role of technology in bridging the gap between employment and family life (Gan 2021;Kędra 2020;Martín-Bylund and Stenliden 2020). Despite the limitations of technology in terms of face-to-face interactions, this innovation has helped many employees to meaningfully continue interacting with their families (Dhaliwal 2021).…”

“…In the existing literature, technology has been primarily examined in terms of work efficiency and effectiveness (Attaran et al 2019;Brougham and Haar 2018;Cakula and Pratt 2021), but not in terms of the private family life of employees. The changing use of sophisticated technology as a means for communicating with family generates a need to study video technology and family relationships (Kędra 2020;Martín-Bylund and Stenliden 2020). However, it was not known how employees who have relocated for employment opportunities perceive the costs and benefits of video technology as an option for maintaining family relationships.…”