Emoji

[supergee]

Will Emoji become a new language? No, for the same reason animal "languages" and body "language" aren't languages: no syntax, no structure, no connectives. It can, however, be a useful adjunct to verbal language, as gesture and tone of voice are to in-person communication. Many people with neurotypical communications disorder (the inability to understand words without such aids) have trouble with online relations because of that lack, and emoji could help. We could refer to it as a "crutch" for people with the disorder, but let's not be ableist.

Thanx to andrewducker

Comments

[griffen]

Counterpoint: As someone who is not able to understand body language, gesture, or tone, emojis are just another category of "this makes no sense to me."