Abigael P. Frani Ma’am.

Jhowanna Mariz Roc

BSIE-ICT-4A GEE13

Annotated Bibliography

Sa, A. E. (2023, March 28). A Semiotic Analysis of Emoji: Understanding the Visual Language

of Digital Communication. Medium. https://bangwin.medium.com/a-semiotic-analysis-of-

emoji- understanding-the-visual-language-of-digital-communication-3e

67100bd7c6#:~:text=The%20semiotic%20analysis%20of%20emojis,Sanders%20Peirc

This article examines the significance of emojis and their role in the process of meaning

making in digital communication. Abang conducts a thorough investigation of their visual

language by looking at semiotic analysis in the context of digital communication. The small

graphic symbols known as emojis are used in digital communication to represent a variety of

meanings and feelings. For instance, a smiling face emoji depicts someone who is happy, and a

heart emoji represents the emotion of love. Abang analyzes Emoji using a semiotic method

based on Charles Sanders Peirce's theory of signs. According to Peirce's theory, signs are made

up of three parts: the signifier, the signified, and the referent. The signifier is the physical

shape of the sign, such as a word or symbol. The signified is the mental notion or meaning

represented by the sign, while the referent is the object or entity in the world to which the sign

refers.

According to Abang, who bases this analysis on Peirce's theory of signs, the meanings of

emojis can vary depending on the cultural and social context in which they are used. For

instance, the thumbs-up emoji may indicate approval in one situation, it may also represent

sarcasm or insincerity in another. Moreover, the media in which emojis are utilized also
influences their meaning. As a matter of fact, Emojis are the reflection of the changing digital

age's culture and language. It enables users to visually and creatively transmit meaning and

emotion, emojis have become a tool for self-expression, creativity, and connection. This article

reveals that it is possible to comprehend how emojis function as visual symbols and aid in the

process of meaning-making in digital communication by examining their signifier, signified,

and referent components. Understanding how visual symbols influence our language and

culture in the digital age can be gained from examining emojis, especially as digital

communication develops further.