Communication and Media Codes Journal

A JOURNAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

ISSN: 3093-0693

SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF EMOJIS IN SOCIAL MEDIA CONVERSATIONS AMONG MASS COMMUNICATION STUDENTS IN CALEB UNIVERSITY

Eric Msughter Aondover,
Solomon A. Oyeleye,
Lawal Umar Maradun

Abstract

The deliberate juxtaposition of extremely new technology and very old social patterns is the defining feature of our society. The growing popularity of social media and its integration into students’ daily social interactions is a clear indication, one of such being the use of emojis to replace written texts in conversations. This study thus employed social semiotic analysis to examine how emojis are used in four (4) randomly selected group WhatsApp chats from the Department of Mass Communication, Caleb University. In addition to showing how these students have domesticated these emojis, the study looked at how students have always understood the representation of these symbols or signs in their own contexts, taking into account the idea that representation is a contested space because meanings are not only generated in the context of communication but also are capable of polysemic interpretations. The discussions span four student levels. In order to guarantee that there were more people participating in the discussion, the student forum chat or platform was chosen. A forum user was instructed to provide a screenshot of some of the chats in which the emojis manifested. The data used in this study consisted of seven (7) conversations. Using the Peircean elements of sign Text/substance, Denotation, and Connotation as the models of analysis, a qualitative approach was used to analyze the emojis. It was discovered that emojis have been shown to be instances of signs that fit the description of substances, making them compatible with Sanders Peirce’s denotative and connotative elements. The study concludes that Emojis help students to communicate meaningfully and effectively because they foster internal connections. However, in the case where emojis are used improperly, they could send the wrong meanings, create issues, and lead to misunderstandings for both the addresser and the addressee. Keywords: Conversations, Emojis, Mass Communication, Semiotic Analysis, Social Media and Students
Volume:
Vol. 2. January, 2025
Year of Publication:
2025

Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief

Prof. Michael O. Ukonu

Deputy Editor-in-Chief

Dr Blessing Chinweobo-Onuoha

Associate Editors

Prof. L.I. Anorue

Prof. J. Wogu

Prof. G. Ezeah

Prof. C.C. Okpoko

Review

Dr Chidiebere Nwachukwu

Dr Ozioma Nwokedi

Dr Victor Nwogbo

Dr Belinda Anyakoha

Dr Uchenna Eze

Dr Ike Ugbor

Secretary

Dr Stephen Ogbodoh

Design Editor

Dr Ike Elike

Business Manager

Dr Martin Ezugwu

Editorial Consultants

Prof. Nnanyelugo Okoro, Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State

Professor Sunny Udezeh, Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State

Professor Ezekiel Asemah, Vice Chancellor’s Office, Glorious Vision University, Benin, Edo State

Professor Jude Terna Kur, Department of Information Science and Media Studies, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

Prof. Rotimi Williams Olatunji, School of Communications, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State

Prof Walter Ihejirika  

Dr. Chukwujekwu Charles Onwuka Department of Sociology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. Email: cc.onwuka@coou.edu.ng
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