Ep. 130 - The Emoji Code with Dr. Vyv Evans

In this episode, Chris Hadnagy and Dr. Vyv Evans discuss the widespread use of emoji and how it can help fill the gap between text and face-to-face communication. Emoji has the ability to add tone and expressions to text that it would otherwise be lacking. In in a single picture, they can express complex ideas that would otherwise require many words to convey.  

00:10 - Introduction to Dr. Vyv Evans and his Work on Emoji  01:37 - Brooklyn Teen Was Arrested for Threats Made with Emoji  03:52 - The 2 Main Functions of Language   06:12 - In Real World Scenarios, Communication Utilizes Multiple Channels  07:55 - Tone of Voice Can Change the Meaning of Our Words  09:05 - Gestures Can Change the Meaning of Our Words  10:59 - Emblems are nonverbal signals that can be translated directly into words.  12:50 - The Meaning of Emoji Can be Affected by Group or Cultural Factors  15:45 - The Rebus Principle is Used to Represent Abstract Words with Pictograms, Like Emoji  18:16 - Upcoming Virtual Trainings and Human Hacking Conference Signups.  

19:58 - The Differences Between the Emoji System and Language  22:46 - Emoji Helps Text Catch Up with the Tone and Kinesics Found in Spoken Face-to-Face Interaction  23:20 - Survey Done by Match.com Corelates the Use of Emoji to Increased Sexual Activity  24:38 - Emoji Makes Us More Effective Communicators in the Digital Space  26:09 - The Angry Jerk Phenomenon and How Emoji Can Help  27:35 - Why Visuals are Important to Communication  29:23 - The 😂 (Tears of Joy) Emoji Was Oxford Dictionary’s “Word of the Year” in 2015 31:05 - How Text Can Accidentally Convey the Wrong Tone  32:10 - Emoji Can Complement the Meaning of a Word   33:32 - Nonverbals are a Vital Component to Communication  35:47 - Discussing Whether a Decrease in Vocabulary May Have Contributed to the Creation of Nonverbal Communication and Emoji 

41:26 - Vyv’s Contact Info  Website: https://www.vyvevans.net/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/VyvEvans  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vyv-evans/ 

42:23 Vyv’s Books   https://www.vyvevans.net/books  The Emoji Code: The Linguistics Behind Smiley Faces and Scaredy Cats 42:44 Vyv’s Book Recommendations  Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language