EMOJI AS DIGITAL PARALINGUISTIC COMMUNICATION

In the age of digital communication, textual messages often lack the nonverbal cues that convey emotion and intent in face-to-face interactions. Emojis, as graphic symbols embedded in digital text, have emerged as a critical form of paralinguistic communication. This paper investigated how emojis function as digital paralinguistic markers to convey emotion, tone, and social context in online communication. Drawing on examples from social media, instant messaging, and email, the study analyzes how emojis supplement textual language, enhance clarity, and reduce ambiguity. The findings suggest that emojis serve not only as emotional indicators but also as social and cultural markers, influencing interpersonal dynamics in online interactions. The study concludes with implications for digital literacy, cross-cultural communication, and the design of communication platforms.