<p>From smartphones to time on Facebook and other social feeds, and so on, emojis are just part of the language when it comes to proper digital language.&nbsp; Despite their popularity, however, many come from a different perspective in using emojis properly.&nbsp; Some even dislike them to the point where they will not use them.&nbsp; So, do emojis impact communication?&nbsp; Do they add to, or take away from, communication methods?</p> <p><strong>What does emoji actually mean?</strong></p> <p>While many use the term &ldquo;emoji&rdquo;, very few actually know the roots of it.&nbsp; This is a Japanese term, which is where emojis actually came from, originally.&nbsp; &ldquo;E&rdquo; means picture, &ldquo;mo&rdquo; means writing, and &ldquo;ji&rdquo; means letter or character.&nbsp; A literal explanation of what an emoji is, if ever there was one.</p> <p><strong>How do emojis influence conversation?</strong></p> <p>When used correctly -- this can vary from one age group to another and from one situation to another -- emojis can influence a conversation.&nbsp; They can provide tone and context to an otherwise text-based chat.&nbsp; This helps uncertain messages come across the intended way, similar to on inflection and tone would do so in a face-to-face conversation.</p> <p>Another influence emojis have in conversation is that they are multilingual.&nbsp; While there are often different meanings applied to emojis, they are a way for people to speak to each other even if they do not otherwise speak each other&rsquo;s languages.&nbsp; If oten makes second-language learners much more comfortable, too, since at least they are &ldquo;fluent&rdquo; in emoji if nothing else.&nbsp; This eases stress and encourages them to keep trying&nbsp;</p> <p>Lastly, emojis can add a new layer to a conversion that just is not there in traditional face-to-face ones.&nbsp; The implementation of emojis helps people connect easier to each other and feel the &ldquo;warm fuzzies&rdquo; through distant conversations that might otherwise be lost.&nbsp; It can soften tough blows or make someone crack a smile when they &ldquo;read&rdquo; the tone of a message through the addition of emojis.</p> <p><strong>Benefits of emojis</strong></p> <p>Both from a mental health as well as a larger cultural point of view, emojis do have benefits to them, despite many feeling as though they are constantly changing -- which they are.&nbsp; Emojis can help in some of the following ways.</p> <ul> <li><strong>They enhance and liven a conversation: </strong>Emojis add depth and emotional range to rather emotion-less conversation.&nbsp; This can help people connect to each other easier than normal.&nbsp; This is especially-so in situations where they are not sure of how someone will read, or respond to, their own messages.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>They can help some shy speakers feel more confident:</strong> If someone is shy or not great with words, they will often feel comforted through using emojis.&nbsp; They can add confidence both in receiving them, and in sending them out themselves.&nbsp; It can be very helpful for teens and other adolescents branching out in social circles.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>They are reportedly helped on literacy scores:</strong> There are studies that state that learning how to be &ldquo;fluent&rdquo; in emoji can improve literacy scores.&nbsp; Since these pictograms imply emotion and tone, those who learn to interpret them correctly, including as they adapt and shift over time, can apply that same learning and focus to other literary means like reading and general writing.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Emojis appear to be here to stay, but it remains to be seen whether they are determined as positives or negatives when it comes to students learning language with emojis from a young age.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Sources</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/how-emojis-have-changed-the-way-people-communicate">https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/how-emojis-have-changed-the-way-people-communicate</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologistworld.com/emotion/emoticons-emojis-emotion-psychology">https://www.psychologistworld.com/emotion/emoticons-emojis-emotion-psychology</a></li> </ul>