Graphicons as Functional Communication Tools in WhatsApp Interactions of UNILAG Undergraduates

Social media as a fast-growing mode of communication has disruptive tendencies that create language change in digital contexts. A global trend of language transformation from words to pictograms (graphicons) in digital communication is observed in messaging language use, usually initiated by the young people in online interactions which eventually becomes established. This paper examines the functional use of graphicons such as emoji, sticker, GIF and meme as effective communication tools in digital conversations. Specifically, the study aims at exploring usage trends and meaningful ways the visual icons are used to achieve communication goals with or without texts. Data was purposefully drawn from 309 screenshot messages obtained from the respective class representatives of the selected classes’ WhatsApp platforms of students in Accounting, Computer and Systems Engineering Departments of the University of Lagos. 203 google questionnaires and follow-up unstructured interviews were also used to collect data. Pragmatic analysis of data was conducted using the Gricean cooperative principles or conversational maxims as the theoretical underpinning. Results show that emoji and sticker in particular, are an intrinsic part of young people’s social media communication with strong chances of sustained usage. They are used mainly for reaction, rapport management and message clarification. New functional and more expressive graphicons are recommended for technological devices. This paper not only expands literature in the field of linguistics, but also contributes to the fields of digital/computer communication and language development. It also fosters knowledge, facilitates understanding in digital user experience and adds pedagogical stimulus for students and software developers.