A morfologia dos emojis: explorando a linguagem visual na comunicação digital em inglês

Abstract

This paper addresses the morphology of emojis and their function in digital communication in English, exploring the historical evolution of visual symbols and their growing importance in virtual interactions. Emojis emerged in the 1990s, initially as simple graphic representations of emotions, and over time became an essential part of digital communication, expanding the cultural and emotional expressions of users. The aim of this study was to explore the structure and function of emojis, considering how they complement or replace verbal communication, making online interactions more dynamic and expressive. The adopted methodology was qualitative and descriptive, based on a comprehensive literature review. The research included consultations of books, academic articles, theses, and dissertations on visual language and emojis, using databases and digital libraries. A critical analysis of the texts allowed for a deep understanding of the morphology of emojis and their impact on English communication. Authors such as Gomes (2017), Pompeu and Sato (2015), Adami (2016), and Nunes (2018) were fundamental for the theoretical construction of the study. The main findings indicate that emojis play a significant role in adapting the English language to the digital context, facilitating emotional expression and enriching interactions. It is concluded that the morphology of emojis is an essential tool in constructing meaning in digital communication, relevant both in academic and educational contexts.