A study examining the role of emojis in modern communication reveals their significance extends far beyond simple expressions. Professor Patrick Georg Grosz from the University of Oslo highlights that emojis have become essential for conveying emotions and nuances often missing in text-based communication. The research emphasizes how emojis compensate for the lack of non-verbal cues like intonation and facial expressions, which are prevalent in face-to-face interactions.
The Unicode standard currently includes approximately 3,800 emojis, ranging from realistic representations of faces and gestures to symbolic icons. The study explores how the interpretation of these emojis can vary across cultures and generations. For instance, the "face with a long nose" is often associated with deception, while the "smiling face" can have different connotations depending on the age group using it.
Researchers, including Grosz, have analyzed subtle differences in emoji designs. For example, they studied the distinction between a smiling face with visible teeth and a simple smiling face. The results indicated that the former is often associated with joy, while the latter conveys humor or amusement. This research underscores how these seemingly minor variations can significantly influence the tone of digital communication.
The study also examines the use of multiple kiss emojis, which differ in eye expression. While some users may not notice the differences, others intentionally select specific kiss emojis to reflect their mood or the context of the message. Grosz concludes that emojis function similarly to gestures and facial expressions in real-life conversations, adding an emotional layer to communication and becoming an integral part of modern grammar and sociolinguistics.