Chat involves an exchange of messages in real time.
Chat is a term that has been part of the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) since its twenty-third edition. It is widely used in our language since it allows us to refer to written communication that takes place in real time over the Internet .
In order to find the etymological origin of the term that concerns us now, we would have to go to English. And it is in the Anglo-Saxon language where the word from which it comes is found: chatter , which can be translated as "conversation or chatter" .
For example: "Last night I was in the chat room until three in the morning," "The footballer will participate in a chat and answer questions from fans," "I met my girlfriend in a chat," "I don't like the chat, I prefer email » .
Features of a chat
In general, the notion of chat is used to name the exchange of written messages instantly . That is, when a user writes the message and sends it, the recipient receives it instantly. The same thing happens if the user leaves their message in a public room.
This leads us to differentiate between private chat (which takes place between two or more people, but in a virtual environment whose limits are defined by the participants themselves) and public chat (where everyone who enters the room can read the messages). .
In any type of chat worth its salt, it should be noted that elements such as the keyboard, the set of emoticons and the text tools play a fundamental role. When in the chat it is possible to see the other person and talk to them, it is usually called video chat . In this case, users can exchange written messages, but also oral or visual messages since a microphone and a camera are used.
The verb chat , meanwhile, refers to participating in a chat: "Tomorrow I'm going to connect to chat with grandpa," "What I like to do most on the Internet is chat with my friends."
Currently, chat usually takes place via cell phone or mobile phone.
Classification according to type
We would have to make it clear that there are various types of chats. Among the most significant are the following:
- Commercial chats , which are those that allow communication between a company and its client or between two companies. Giving information or solving problems are some of the reasons why those exist; That is, they have the mission of an entity offering a good service.
- Roulette chat . Especially designed for adults who want to meet new people is this other modality. It consists of, by chance and through video chat, two people who do not know each other are put in communication. Randomly, this connection is established between members of a specific portal or page who will get to know each other through the webcam.