Emoji and Nonverbal Communication: An Examination of Social Networking Sites

Authors : Silas UDENZE

Pages : 36-49

Doi:10.32739/etkilesim.2020.6.74

View : 20 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2020-10-09

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The study explored the phenomenon of nonverbal communication with its focus on emoji. Basically, the researcher examined five social networking  sites insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SNS); - insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter); in order to ascertain which of the SNS the research population uses emoji more often. Furthermore, the researcher explored the gender disparity in the use of emoji. The study employed the quantitative research method to achieve this end, precisely the survey technique. The hyperpersonal communication theory underpins and guides the research. Findings from the study indicate that a considerable number of the research population insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(48.93%); considers WhatsApp’s emojis as the most often used, followed by Facebook. Analysis of data further revealed that both genders- male and female use emoji evenly. The male, 71 respondents representing 50.35% use emoji and 70 respondents; that is, 49.65% of the female equally use emoji for communication purposes. The study concludes that emojis are conduit pipes through which Internet users display their expertise in the manoeuvering of computer-mediated communication, specifically nonverbal communication; hence, researchers indicate that this calls for further scholarly investigation in this research domain.
Keywords : emoji, nonverbal communication, communication, social networking sites