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From Emoticons to Emotions: Investigating the Communicative Impact of Emojis and GIFs.

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Title: From Emoticons to Emotions: Investigating the Communicative Impact of Emojis and GIFs.
Authors: Un Nisa, Sarwat1
Source: Theory & Practice in Language Studies (TPLS). Feb2026, Vol. 16 Issue 2, p649-657. 9p.
Subject Terms: *Communicative competence, Emoticons & emojis, Graphics interchange format, Semiotics, Telematics, Sociolinguistics, Courtesy
Abstract: In recent decades, the rapid growth of computer-mediated communication has created new ways to express emotions, including using simple keyboard symbols like emoticons. This research examined how communicative intention through emojis and GIFs would affect perceptions of communicative efficiency and politeness among users of online communication. The SEM results highlight that emojis and GIFs both serve as powerful non-verbal indicators and significantly augment digital discourse's tone and intelligibility. This work empirically supports the argument that emojis and GIFs act as pragmatic markers that not only increase communicative efficiency but are also critical in determining perceptions of politeness in online interaction. The results add to a new field of digital sociolinguistics and highlight the crucial role that multimodal semiotics plays in determining online communicative practice. As digital communication develops further, these visual components are likely to take an even more pivotal position in ensuring civility, relationship management, and facilitating mutual understanding across virtual landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Theory & Practice in Language Studies (TPLS) is the property of Academy Publication Co., LTD and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Un+Nisa%2C+Sarwat%22">Un Nisa, Sarwat</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Theory+%26+Practice+in+Language+Studies+%28TPLS%29%22">Theory & Practice in Language Studies (TPLS)</searchLink>. Feb2026, Vol. 16 Issue 2, p649-657. 9p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communicative+competence%22">Communicative competence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emoticons+%26+emojis%22">Emoticons & emojis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graphics+interchange+format%22">Graphics interchange format</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Semiotics%22">Semiotics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Telematics%22">Telematics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sociolinguistics%22">Sociolinguistics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Courtesy%22">Courtesy</searchLink>
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  Data: In recent decades, the rapid growth of computer-mediated communication has created new ways to express emotions, including using simple keyboard symbols like emoticons. This research examined how communicative intention through emojis and GIFs would affect perceptions of communicative efficiency and politeness among users of online communication. The SEM results highlight that emojis and GIFs both serve as powerful non-verbal indicators and significantly augment digital discourse's tone and intelligibility. This work empirically supports the argument that emojis and GIFs act as pragmatic markers that not only increase communicative efficiency but are also critical in determining perceptions of politeness in online interaction. The results add to a new field of digital sociolinguistics and highlight the crucial role that multimodal semiotics plays in determining online communicative practice. As digital communication develops further, these visual components are likely to take an even more pivotal position in ensuring civility, relationship management, and facilitating mutual understanding across virtual landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Theory & Practice in Language Studies (TPLS) is the property of Academy Publication Co., LTD and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=191284015
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        Value: 10.17507/tpls.1602.30
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        StartPage: 649
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Communicative competence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Emoticons & emojis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Graphics interchange format
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      – SubjectFull: Semiotics
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      – SubjectFull: Telematics
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      – SubjectFull: Sociolinguistics
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      – SubjectFull: Courtesy
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      – TitleFull: From Emoticons to Emotions: Investigating the Communicative Impact of Emojis and GIFs.
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              Text: Feb2026
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              Y: 2026
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