What’s in the “thumbs up”? Affirmation through emojis and photographs in instant messaging family chats

Abstract This study explores the communicative functions of the “thumbs up” sign – both as emoji and as photographic gesture – in two instant messaging (IM) family chats. Drawing on a single case study of a Finnish/Swedish bilingual family in Finland, the analysis examines 28 instances of the Thumbs Up emoji and 13 photographs depicting the THUMBS UP gesture. Using a multimodal discourse analytical framework, the study identifies four primary functions: family management, positive appraisal, encouragement and goodwill, and sharing experience. While the emoji Thumbs Up typically appeared in response slots – either standing alone or reinforcing preceding verbal language – the THUMBS UP photographs often initiated exchanges and commented on offline activities. The findings reveal how visual composition, gesture salience, and facial expression contribute to meaning-making in photographs, offering richer emotional nuance than an emoji alone. The study also uncovers a culture-specific Finnish use of THUMBS UP to express encouragement. By situating thumbs-based signs within the online/offline nexus of family life, the research highlights how digital and embodied modes of communication intertwine. The paper contributes to the understanding of emblems in digital discourse and suggests that gesture-based emojis and their photographic counterparts merit further comparative investigation across platforms, cultures, and generations.