Language of emojis: A meta-synthesis

Amidst the digital landscape, a significant challenge emerges: the absence of non-linguistic cues, such as facial expressions and body language. This limitation often results in misunderstandings and misinterpretations during online interactions. This research aims to empirically assess emojis' potential as effective substitutes for textual language and emotional expression, addressing the overarching question of their communicative efficacy. This study rigorously analyzes the language of emojis using a document-based approach. It searched Google Scholar with the term “language of emoji” across a wide timeframe, selecting five relevant papers published from 2018 to 2023. Only English papers focusing on linguistic, communicative, and socio-cultural aspects of emoji use were included. Through this method, the study aims to offer insights into emoji functions in communication, drawing from recent and pertinent research.The findings suggest that emojis serve as effective tools for communication, enabling individuals to express emotions and strengthen relationships in digital interactions. However, it is important to acknowledge that while emojis may enhance communication, there remains a need for further research. One of the reviewed articles highlighted the nuanced nature of emoji communication, indicating that their meanings are context-specific and subject to interpretation, thereby warranting deeper exploration into their communicative functions and potential limitations.