Proceedings of the 2024 3rd International Conference on Educational Science and Social Culture (ESSC 2024)

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Beyond Friendliness: Pragmatic Extension of Smiley Emoji in Computer Mediated Communication

Authors
Qiong Shen1, *
1College of Foreign Language and Literature, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
*Corresponding author. Email: 3096453628@qq.com
Corresponding Author
Qiong Shen
Available Online 3 April 2025.
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-384-9_80How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Smiley Emoji; Pragmatic Functions; Hierarchical Relationships; Speech Act Theory
Abstract

The growing prevalence of emoji in computer-mediated communication promotes their pragmatic functions and subtle meanings. This study examines the use of the smiley emoji in WeChat communication, exploring its interactions with the accompanying text and its pragmatic meanings in a range of relational contexts. The research employs a mixed methods approach, integrating both quantitative analysis using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count tool, and qualitative analysis that delves deeper into the nuances of emoji usage through the lens of conversation theories. The results demonstrate that the smiley emoji does not merely convey friendliness but is also employed to indicate negative emotions. Its usage varies across hierarchical and peer-to-peer relationships, performing different speech acts and fulfilling pragmatic functions such as signaling authority, expressing disapproval and displeasure, and mock politeness. These findings enhance our comprehension of the evolving semiotic functions of paralinguistic elements and provide insight into future studies on their interactions with social context in multicultural digital communication.

Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 2024 3rd International Conference on Educational Science and Social Culture (ESSC 2024)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
3 April 2025
ISBN
978-2-38476-384-9
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-384-9_80How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Qiong Shen
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/04/03
TI  - Beyond Friendliness: Pragmatic Extension of Smiley Emoji in Computer Mediated Communication
BT  - Proceedings of the 2024 3rd International Conference on Educational Science and Social Culture (ESSC 2024)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 696
EP  - 706
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-384-9_80
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-384-9_80
ID  - Shen2025
ER  -