Written by Caterina 2022 Cohort
Emojis began as “a group of ASCII letters” (Liu, Gao, & Wang, 2022), Professor Scott Farman of Carnegie Mellon University in the United States “produced in the shape of “:-),” a horizontal inverted smiley face” (Liu, Gao, & Wang, 2022). Emojis are modifications of conventional iconic symbols. Since then, the ability to convey emotions visually has proliferated over the internet. The development of the picture-based emoji, which followed the symbolic emoji and amusing images shared on social media, had some bearing on how the emoji pack ultimately came to be.
Emoji and sticker popularity is rising because more people use social media and mobile devices. Regardless of people’s location or time zone, these platforms have made it simpler for people to communicate with one another. Emojis have developed into a quick and straightforward way for people to express themselves and give their messages personality. Businesses and organizations also use them to interact with clients and raise brand recognition.
Stickers and emojis are potent tools for internet communication. They help bridge the gap between verbal and non-verbal communication, which can be lost in digital media. In face-to-face interactions, we use facial expressions, tone of voice and body language to convey meaning. However, these signals are frequently overlooked in digital communication. By offering visual cues that support the substance and tone of a message, they aid in filling that gap.
When people use stickers, they often carry the meaning of banter and flirtation, and stickers have become a new form of contemporary online carnival. People seek new identities in online interaction. The fun and vulgarity of stickers reflect the daily psychology of the public, cater to the general aesthetic interest, and inject new vitality into the development of online culture and youth subculture. Stickers have made self-hacking fashionable, and more and more individuals don’t mind or even like it when their “ugly images” are turned into stickers. In the context of new media, this has become a crucial self- presentation and communication method.
However, the use of emojis and stickers is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the need for more standardization in how emojis and stickers are used. Different platforms and devices may display them differently, leading to confusion and misinterpretation. Additionally, the meaning of some emojis can be ambiguous, and their use can be subjective. This can lead to misunderstandings and even offence.
In conclusion, emojis and stickers have established themselves as essential components of digital communication, and their use is only expected to increase. They give digital messages a fun and individual touch while bridging the gap between verbal and nonverbal communication. However, their use has its challenges; it is critical for users to be mindful of potential misunderstandings and offences.
References
Liu, H., Gao, B., & Wang, X. (2022, October 17). An empirical study on the communication and usage psychology of emoji in Wechat. Retrieved January 14, 2023, from https://www.lidsen.com/journals/neurobiology/neurobiol ogy-06-04-142