Our brains 'read' emoticons like real faces
Scientists have found that we use the same part of our brains to recognise emoticons (the smiley icons you sometimes see in text messages) and real faces.
This is because humans have learned to read the tiny pictures in a particular way.
- When are you more likely to use emoticons in your writing?
- Do you often use emoticons? Why / why not?
- Why is it important to make sure that what we say and write is always easy to understand?
Let me know what you think!
Remember: a blog post should be a well thought out paragraph, including careful sentences!
I look forward to seeing your entries (online or on paper) by Wednesday 19th March!
I sometimes use emoticons when I texting to my friends right now I'm quite bored sorry I can't put the emoticon in it . Yes ido often use them and on the top of my blog post . We all know the same language in are school and know how to write it down in paper that why we understand what we say and write.
ReplyDeleteBy Irfan Hyde Park
While texting to family I usually use emoticons and sometimes they turn into little android robots . I don't usually use them often, but occasionally I do . I don't use them very often because they're not very formal . If we don't understand what each other are saying we could end up thinking that we've all magically disappeared !
ReplyDeleteYou have made such a good point! I completely agree that without clear communication we might all be lost!
DeleteA dictionary definition of emotion is:
ReplyDelete‘a strong feeling deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.’
The simple way to describe what an emotion is would be how an object, atmosphere, animal or person react or feel in a situation.
Therefore, If somebody was going to look at emotions reflected in a written format, then that person would find this in poems, persuasive writing, descriptive stories, scenes, newspaper reports and diary entries.
In addition, we use emotions in our writing in different ways. Here are some examples: Feelings of a character, describing an atmosphere and using a synonym for ‘said’ in speech.
Emotions paint pictures for the reader to understand what is going on and how everyone is feeling. If somebody was to write a story for younger children, then they would have to use simple language, so that the child understands what is happening. So they would have to use simple ways to describe an emotion like: Happy, sad and smiling.
However, if somebody was to write a story for older children, then they would use more advanced language, because older children understand more descriptive vocabulary. Older children also know how you could use emotions in figurative language like: Metaphors, similes, onomatopoeia, personification and alliteration.
With text messages and now many forms of other writing people use emoticons as a simpler way of showing their feelings with pictures. As a writer of many stories, I prefer using real words instead of emoticons, seeing as it not written language. I think people should start using real language instead of emoticons, especially if you have to do school tests.
Do you think emoticons are a lazy way of communicating in a written format or do you think they play a part in modern society?
Another great blog response Sofia! 😊
DeleteYour question has really got me thinking.
I think language is a rich gift and we should all learn how to use it in order to express ourselves in all manner of ways. Written language has the power to transport you somewhere, to educate you and even to make you feel happy!
Language is also subject to fashion too though, just like clothes and music! That's another one of the exciting things about it - it doesn't just stay the same forever. We have the power to influence it and make it our own; that's incredibly exciting!
Language and meaning also changes as time goes on. If you read ancient literature - Greek or Roman, for example - you see that the way people have translated it throughout thousands of years is varied. There might be several translations, all of which are correct - all of which mean something totally different!
So; are emoticons a lazy way of communicating written language? Well, in my opinion yes AND no! Like slang, local dialects, non-verbal communication and written codes, I think they have their place. I think it's more about how you use them that dictates laziness or not. Are you using them to replace language, or to enhance it?
As I sit on my train now, on my way to see my family, I will end with this: 😊☀️😊
What do you think?
Mrs Messa, I don't mean to be rude, but, you forgot to Indent c:
DeleteIt has taken me this long to try and figure out what those emoticons mean. Maybe that's the problem with using emoticons, you don't understand them sometimes. I think it means you are thinking in the sun on a train?!
Deleteyou use emoticons when you text and emoticons can be informal but usaly they are not formal and Why do pepole use emoticones? people use emoticons because it is an easier way of communicating on online or E-mail.
ReplyDeleteYou mostly see emoticons when texting or on a online game. Here are some examples : :) :( :@ :3 xD c: :o :P :* :"( ... I use emoticons quite often, since they can tell your feelings in just a few letters/Punctuation. They are not formal, so I don't think I would see you texting them to your boss/head teacher!
ReplyDeleteNice examples of emoticons Hira
DeleteEmoticons are a way of expressing your feelings at that time, however, I like writing in words how I am feeling, rather than using emoticons, as some people could mis-read my emotions and how I am feeling. I think emoticons are fine at the end of a sentence but should not replace words.
ReplyDeleteI never use emoticons becasue i dont have a phone. If i had a phone i would use emoticons id use them to express my feelings . .e.g
ReplyDelete;D.In my opinun emoticons should'not be used in writing on paper.
You are most likely to use emoticons in:text-writing and to tell people how you feel by not speaking.I don't really use emoticons much but sometimes I do,it depends on how I feel: if I want to draw or explain how I'm felling and if I don't want to talk.It is important to use emoticons correctly because if you need something and you send a text and you read it,then look at the emoticon to see if you need it urgently.
ReplyDeleteYou are most likely to use emoticons in your writing when you are feeling something or you don't want to talk or write you can just use emoticons.I often use emoticons because I always talk with my cousin on skype.We should always make sure that what we say and what we write is understandable because otherwise the person were talking to is not going to understand.
ReplyDeletevery good Viktor
Delete
ReplyDeleteYou would normally use emoticons when you are writing feelings in note form, you could also use them in text writing. You should only use them when you are writing informally because you are only writing to someone who you know very well.
I don't use emoticons because I use the proper words to make my sentences clear. Another reason is I don't text people or email because I don't use these thing yet.
It is important to make sure that what we say and write is clear because if someone does not understand what you are saying then they might not understand and get it all wrong. Another reason is so your writing makes sense. When I looked at some emoticons I did not understand some of them so you have to put clear emoticons.
Emoticons is a new concept to do with text messages. When people text each other they use emoticonsin their text instead of writing the full word to express themselves.
ReplyDeleteI don't use emoticons, because I don't text anyone, but when I do start texting I will start using emoticons.
If I am having a conversation or texting it is important we understand each other or it will be pointless having the conversation.
Emoticons are mostly used on mobile phones for text messages and email. they're are a quick and a easy way to show how you feel (e.g. a smiley face, sad face or a surprised face).
ReplyDeletehuman beings have been using pictures like this for thousands of years. they were called . For example the Egyptians would write whole stories of their kings using hieroglyphics (pictures and symbols) and even their alphabet was written in pictures.
after using them for such a long time we are used to reading messages in pictures style. I don't use them because I don't have mobile phone, but adults, my mum and dad use them all the time.
It is important to make sure that what we say and write is easy to understand so that the message that we are trying to give is clear and not misunderstood. Pictures and emoicons can be used to make sure the message is clear.
For example "I really enjoyed writing this blog :-) "
By Tanraj
Some people use emoticons while writing a text about theirs or someone elses feelings or opinions. Emoticons are often used to tell your feelings,opinions and emotions. Sometimes when you do emoticons on an app they come up with a smily, funny, crying and sad faces that are moving (also sometimes their is a vomiting face).
ReplyDeleteI think emoticons are part of informal language, also I think emoticons are used when you are texting to a friend. Emoticons are often used at the end of a sentence or a paragraph.
Emoticons e.g :) :( :@ ;) <3 :] :[ ;] :P :-) ;-) :-D :-( :'( :O :-o :"(
:》 :{
Aleks :) ★☆
Emoticons are symbols used in everyday texting. Emoticons are cyber faces expressing your feelings or emotions. For example if I am happy I would text a smiley face, . If I were upset I would text a sad face, . It is likely that humans respond in the same way when they see emoticons as we do to faces. Probably animals do too!
ReplyDeleteI am more likely to use emoticons when texting or messaging. I usually use emoticons when texting my parents and friends. It is important to make sure that what we say and write is always easy to understand because then the other person knows what you are saying.
ReplyDeleteIn my writing I would use emoticons to express feelings. I don't use emoticons a lot because I like full sentences, and I don't use messaging or e-mailing very much. It is important to say what you are saying is write otherwise whoever is your reader, might not understand the whole concept. My favourite emoticon is the angry face because of it's look.
ReplyDeleteNormally, you use emoticons in writing, during informal letters. You use them in informal letters, because emoticons show an abundant supply of informal language.
ReplyDeleteFor example, texting, chatting and replying to other people's comments. Furthermore, my brother texts to his friends, by using his Samsung Galaxy S2 mobile.
Here are some examples of two emoticons used in Literacy: :) :(
The reason why I've never used an emoticon before, is because I have never heard of it before in my life!!!!! (Although, I have seen them).
In my opinion, I think it is easier to use emoticons because, otherwise you will have a whole entire page about your FEELINGS!!!
People are most likely to use emoticons texting to make the language shorter. Also people are able to express their emotions through symbols. If I had a phone I would use the smiley face all the time.
ReplyDeleteThis post is from Brian. Remember, no surnames on blogs!
ReplyDeleteYou are most often to use emoticons in text to tell people how you are feeling by not speaking or writing. I often use emoticons because it is shorter and tells how you are feeling. I think that it is important so people understand what you are writing because they might think it means something else and they will not understand what it means. :)
You would normally use emoticons when you are writing feelings in note form, you could also use them in text writing. You should only use them when you are writing informally because you are only writing to someone who you know very well.
ReplyDeleteI don't use emoticons because I use the proper words to make my sentences clear. Another reason is I don't text people or email because I don't use these thing yet.
It is important to make sure that what we say and write is clear because if someone does not understand what you are saying then they might not understand and get it all wrong. Another reason is so your writing makes sense. When I looked at some emoticons I did not understand some of them so you have to put clear emoticons.