The microlanguage of the visual interface: emojis, reactions, likes

Чирвоний, Олександр Сергійович (2025) The microlanguage of the visual interface: emojis, reactions, likes Науковий вісник Міжнародного гуманітарного університету. Серія: «Філологія», 1 (74). pp. 188-191. ISSN 2409-1154

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Abstract

The article examines the microlanguage of the visual interface as an emerging and increasingly autonomous layer of digital communication, including emojis, reactions, likes, and other graphic elements that are gradually forming their own system of signs and usage norms. These units perform paralinguistic functions traditionally associated with intonation, facial expressions, and gestures in offline interaction, and they are capable not only of accompanying but also fully replacing verbal messages, thus creating self-contained communicative acts. The article is based on contemporary linguistic, sociolinguistic, and pragmatic approaches, along with a review of empirical research highlighting the role of visual microelements in creating discourse tone, marking speaker’s attitude, and maintaining social connections. Special attention is given to cultural, generational, and platform-based variations in symbol interpretation, as well as to instances of reinterpretation driven by collective use and evolving digital norms. The functions of emojis and reactions are analyzed as acts of economical communication that can serve as phatic signals, tools of solidarity or distancing, instruments of irony or sarcasm, and markers of group identity. The article also addresses the influence of platform-specific “visual grammar” on meaning shifts, semantic change, and the emergence of context-dependent interpretations. Combining theoretical and pragmatic analysis, this study analyzes examples from various digital platforms (Facebook, Twitter/X, messengers, corporate chats), synthesizes findings on the impact of emojis on both interpersonal and intergroup interaction, and demonstrates how these elements evolve into fully functional units of digital language with their own rules and restrictions. The results can be applied in sociolinguistic studies, intercultural communication analysis, media literacy research, and the development of automated systems for interpreting emotional signals in online environments.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	emoji; visual interface; paralinguistic code; digital discourse; phatic communication; semantic shift; platform grammar; online interaction
Subjects:	Статті у базах даних > Index Copernicus Статті у періодичних виданнях > Фахові (входять до переліку фахових, затверджений МОН)
Divisions:	Факультет романо-германської філології > Кафедра англійської мови та комунікації Факультет романо-германської філології > Кафедра германської філології Факультет романо-германської філології > Кафедра лінгвістики та перекладу
Depositing User:	доцент Олександр Сергійович Чирвоний
Date Deposited:	07 Nov 2025 11:06
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2025 11:06
URI:	https://elibrary.kubg.edu.ua/id/eprint/53745

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