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From the Metaverse to the Tower of Babel: Investigating the Socio-Cultural Exclusion of Non-Native English Speakers on Social VR Platforms

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  • Jan Waligórski

    (AGH University of Krakow)

Abstract

Social virtual reality (VR) platforms are emerging as new spaces for computer-mediated communication between people from different parts of the world. However, international communication remains underexplored in laboratory-based research, and existing field studies have predominantly included English-speaking social VR users, thereby marginalizing other perspectives. This study employs ethnographic methods to examine the challenges experienced by Polish users in communication with individuals of different nationalities. Findings indicate that international communication in social VR can present new challenges for Polish users. These challenges, related to communication in a foreign language, may be amplified by the immersiveness of head-mounted displays, the dominance of English-speaking nationalities, the prevalence of voice-based communication, cultural differences, and geographical location. Our results highlight the risk of excluding non-native English speakers from global communities in English-dominated social VR environments. Research underscores the need for a methodological shift in future studies on social VR platforms.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Waligórski, 2024. "From the Metaverse to the Tower of Babel: Investigating the Socio-Cultural Exclusion of Non-Native English Speakers on Social VR Platforms," OSF Preprints fb2st, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:osfxxx:fb2st
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/fb2st
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Hudson & Sheila Matson-Barkat & Nico Pallamin & Guillaume Jégou, 2019. "With or without you? Interaction and immersion in a virtual reality experience," Post-Print hal-02159315, HAL.
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