Abstract:
The paper tackles the evolution of the symbolic language, more precisely, it focuses
on a novel form of digital communication known as emojis. It has been commonly accepted that
in the post 2.0 web era few concepts have been so richly delineated, have become so visible
and have spread so rapidly in both mainstream and niche culture. The aim of this study is to
highlight intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics which led to the mass popularization and use of
emojis, as well as communicational implications pertaining to this phenomenon. From the
standpoint of communication studies, the emergence of the concept has brought about valuable
and interesting changes in both global etymology and semantics, thus identifying an inherent
necessity to examine it. The present paper also aims to identify how teenagers from Western
Romania, ages 14 to 18, use this new way of communicating and the reasons behind opting for
emojis. Furthermore, the research conducted in Arad seeks to establish the specific aspects
which shape the way teenagers use emojis when interacting among themselves and outside the
dynamic of their preferred group.
