Akay O.M. Emotive graphocode as semiotic phenomenon: from emoji to visual symbols

The relevance of studying emotive graphocode within the fields of linguistics and semiotics stems from the profound transformation of communicative practices in the era of digitalization. This research aims to uncover the semiotic nature of emotive graphocode by analyzing its various forms – such as emojis, stickers, memes, and GIF animations – and identifying the mechanisms that underpin its functionality in digital communication. Key objectives include defining the concept of emotive graphocode, classifying its types, examining its semiotic characteristics (iconicity, indexicality, and symbolicity), investigating the role of context, and exploring the impact of cultural and social factors on its formation and evolution. The methodological framework integrates semiotic analysis, content analysis of internet communication (including social networks, forums, and blogs), and a sociolinguistic approach, enabling the consideration of cultural and social specificities within the Russian-speaking segment of the internet. The scientific novelty of this research lies in the development of a comprehensive semiotic approach to emotive graphocode, encompassing its varied forms and functions. Practically, the findings can be applied to enhance text sentiment analysis systems, improve automatic emotion recognition tools, develop more effective digital communication strategies, and facilitate the interpretation of visual signs in educational contexts. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of emotive graphocode as a dynamic and multifaceted phenomenon in contemporary digital communication.