The evolving world of emoticons

Creating an emotional world in cyberspace with emoticons

As computer technology developed and the Internet grew, emoticons were of limited use. In the early years of Internet communication, people were just beginning to learn clever abbreviations and the use of text symbols to convey emotions. Most of the people wrote expressive dialogues with complete sentences. Gradually, a shift was made to simple text messages. As social networking sites developed, a new language began to develop. As this new language developed, the need to express human emotions grew. This is when emoticons saw a surge in popularity.

Emoticons are considered the pioneers of emotionalism on the Internet. Cyberspace was no longer a sterile place devoid of human emotion. Emoticons are a mainstay in this developing emotional world of cybercommunication.

Invasion of emotion icons

Today, emoticons are the favorites among users of social networks. These days written language has been reduced to a series of abbreviations. Symbols that express emotions are a useful tool for conveying human emotions in the world of abbreviated text. People no longer communicate with well-written sentences. On social media sites, short and sweet is preferred over long and long. Emoticons are a crucial element in social media communications. Symbols are widely used in instant messaging forums. Instant messaging is essentially a real-time online chat. Many popular social sites allow users to chat with each other using a chat box. Emoticons are used to convey emotions without having to write a detailed message explaining a person’s current state of mind or well-being.

The emoticons are cleverly adapted and manage to keep up with current technology. It was only a matter of time before these iconic little figures invaded cell phones. While cell phones are convenient, they are rarely used for conversations that involve the use of the vocal cords. The preferred method of communication on mobile phones is with a tiny keyboard. Unbelievably, people prefer typing cryptic messages on a miniature keyboard rather than using verbal communication. Emoticons are used to emphasize the skillful art of texting.

So many emotion icons have been set up in text message directories. If you’re not sure what a texting icon means, just visit one of the many texting directories to find out what it means. These icons have found their way into most modern forms of communication. Even the corporate world is not immune to these fanciful characters.

Emoticons have become so familiar and widely used; the corporate world has begun to embrace them. Many people use text icons in emails at work. However, its use is usually limited to emails between co-workers. It would be inappropriate to send professional emails to clients that contain the use of icons. Many people rely on emotion icons in emails to avoid misunderstandings. Emails cannot convey the tone of verbal communication. Also, there have been many misunderstandings from a poorly written email. Many people lack the writing skills to develop an effectively crafted email. In most cases, people rarely have time to reflect on whether all the sentences they write will be understood. Emails are created in minutes. It’s almost like there is a race to hit the submit button. Many email writers use emoticons because the icons are quick and easy to use.

Unfortunately, many young people have become used to using emoticons and texting jargon. Many HR professionals have reported using both on resumes. Additionally, school teachers have reported its use in essays and tests. While many employees may use emoticons and texting jargon in emails to co-workers, it is still considered inappropriate in professional correspondence, such as job applications. Also, these symbols are not acceptable in professional business correspondence. A supplier or customer does not want to receive a letter dotted with icons. Emoticons are useful in the business world; however, its use should be limited to the employee email system.

Evolution of emotion icons

While emoticons can be built with one to three keystrokes, many people have turned to animated emoticons. Text emoticons are still used in cell phone texting, however due to the popularity of their use, many cell phone companies have developed animated icons. Also, many programs allow you to download animated icons. With a click of a button, you can have a happy face emoticon that shows a smile with a thumbs up or rolls your eyes with the classic “whatever” look.

Smiley emoticons are now considered a classic. While these emoticons are still popular, they have changed. These little characters have developed legs, hands, and hair. Many programs allow you to customize emoticons. You can add hats, clothes, jewelry, and change the eye color. Customizing these icons is a creative form of expression in the virtual world. Emoticons have become as diverse as the world’s population.

Almost every culture on the Internet has developed their own emoticons. The smiley face is an international symbol and has been adapted to represent many cultures such as Mexican, Irish, Asian, and Australian, just to name a few. Emoticons evolved from a simple use of colons and parentheses to fun, stylish icons.

Today’s modern smileys can talk, sing, and laugh. Emoticons are no longer limited to smiley faces. Almost any icon or character that expresses a human emotion is considered an emoticon. Many different forms include puppies, cats, aliens, and dancing bananas. In the online world, these icons electronically convey human emotions in a whimsical way and are only limited by human imagination. Anyone can create emoticons using online software programs dedicated to creating these eclectic icons.

The evolution of emoticons continues. These characters will keep changing as technology changes. If you accept that Scott Fahlman is the original creator of the emote, these iconic characters will soon be 30 years old. As emoticons continue to develop, no one can guess what the next generation of emoticons will look like. Rest assured, these emoticons will continue to help humans express their emotions in the cyber world.

The way people communicate has changed significantly since Scott Fahlman wrote his first emoticons on the computer. Most likely, he had no idea that the little symbol would take a generation by storm and become an important communication tool. For the younger generation, emoticons are an important tool for self-expression.

Emoticons are meant to be fun and silly. It is a simple way to express emotions in cyberspace. However, it should not replace the art and creativity of written language. It seems as if we are reverting to the use of symbols instead of eloquently written words. While emoticons can enhance casual jokes online, they have no real-world application.

Emoticons are perfectly acceptable on online chats and social media sites. However, its use is not acceptable in the professional world other than in informal emails. Symbols should not be used to enhance a resume and should never be used when completing a job application. This is a fun tool for conveying human emotions in an impersonal online world. Emoticons will continue to be part of the virtual world.