Smiley, emoticon, and emoji as nonverbal communication tools in internet communication

The aim of the research is to identify the specifics of using nonverbal communication tools in the digital environment. The paper analyzes the semantics of the terms “smiley”, “emoticon”, and “emoji”, used in modern speech practice as synonyms. The scientific novelty of the research lies in analyzing the trends in the use of nonverbal tools in oral-written internet communication, identifying their functions, and establishing the normative spelling variant in the pairs “эмодзи – эмоджи” (emoji), “эмотикон – эмотикойн” (emoticon). As a result of the research, it has been found that pictograms, while not being punctuation marks, can act as substitutes. The presence of nonverbal communication tools in the text depends on the goals of the communicators and the content of the original text. If the content is pragmatic in nature and the goal of subscribers is to obtain information and exchange experiences, the use of nonverbal communication tools is not as significant. If, however, the primary source appeals to the feelings of internet addressees, then most verbal responses are also accompanied by pictograms as a means of demonstrating or intensifying the expression of the addressees’ feelings. Nonverbal signs of digital communication allow for a concise and visually clear transmission of the emotional state of subscribers.