After my recent piece on using contractions while communicating, I received a query on the use of emoticons and/or emojis for writing messages.
The question itself took me back to my history book and the Indus Valley Civilisation of the ancient world. The language of this group or people, the Harappan Script, as it is popularly known comprises pictographic symbols for communication. It was used when the building blocks for culture and established society were being laid. One can read more about this language in the works of two eminent historians, Iravatham Mahadevan and Asko Parpola.
Returning to the contemporary world, the use of emojis and emoticons has replaced the use of words partially and entirely in many pieces of written communication. An interesting aspect of emojis is their steeply inherent trait of tapping into the nonverbal aspects of communication.
Language and its use in the present format is a pointer to an evolved society with multiple layers of complexities. The use of words in writing and phonics in pronunciation while speaking, demonstrate an enhanced mental faculty. It is considered a given that one is proficient in the use of the language that one has learnt and grasped while growing up.
However, when one replaces the use of words with the use of emoticons and emojis the message is garbled. Conversely, one also bears the risk of being too formal and distant in communication when one does not use these pictographic symbols.
So, what are the rules to use these emojis and emoticons?
All formal communication even on social networking sites and messaging applications should be devoid of all emojis and emoticons at all times. As these graphics convey a sense of casualness to communication which is an unwanted impression in such a scenario. The feature to give a quick reaction to a message on a popular chatting application should also be avoided because it is after all a quick reaction and not a well-considered response.
As far as informal communication is concerned, these symbols can be used but it is advisable to do so sparingly. The desire to quickly barge into a chat and make one’s opinion known through an emoji and/or emoticon can many a time put off the recipient(s). A colourful childishness is introduced in chats through these symbols but one has to remember the impression they wish to create through their communication.
Endnote is to always let one’s original choice of words determine the essence and effect of one’s communication, while those fed into a software application can wait to be included in the conversation.
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