Daily Dose of Internet: The Evolution of Emoticons and Emojis
What is Internet Face?
Have you ever seen those weird and wonderful faces that people use to express themselves online? 😂 You know, the ones that can convey a range of emotions from laughter and excitement to sarcasm and frustration? Those are what we call "internet faces" or "emoticons." Emoticons have become an integral part of online communication, and their popularity has led to the creation of thousands of emojis that we use daily.
The History of Emoticons
The first emoticon is credited to Scott Fahlman, a computer scientist who proposed the use of punctuation marks to create facial expressions in 1982. He suggested using :-) and :-( to indicate humor and sadness, respectively. The idea caught on, and soon people started creating their own emoticons using combinations of punctuation marks and letters.
The Rise of Emojis
In the late 1990s, Japanese mobile operators began using emojis, which are small digital images or icons used to express emotions and ideas. Emojis quickly gained popularity worldwide, and today there are thousands of emojis available on most devices. Emojis have become so popular that the Oxford Dictionaries named the "face with tears of joy" emoji 😂 as the Word of the Year in 2015.
Types of Internet Faces
There are several types of internet faces, each with its own unique characteristics:
Kaomoji
Kaomoji are Japanese-style emoticons that use a combination of characters, such as :) and |-|, to create detailed facial expressions. They can be used to convey complex emotions and are often used in anime and manga.
Western Emoticons
Western emoticons use punctuation marks and letters to create facial expressions. They are simpler than kaomoji and are often used in text messages, emails, and social media.
Emojis
Emojis are small digital images or icons used to express emotions and ideas. They can be used to convey a wide range of emotions, from simple smiley faces 🙂 to complex scenes like 🏖️.
The Impact of Internet Faces on Communication
Internet faces have revolutionized the way we communicate online. They allow us to convey emotions and tone in a way that plain text cannot. They have also become an essential part of online etiquette, helping us to avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
Conclusion
Internet faces, whether emoticons, kaomoji, or emojis, have become an integral part of our online language. They add tone and personality to our online communication, making it more fun and engaging. So, the next time you use 😂 or 👍, remember the rich history and evolution of internet faces that have led to their widespread use today.