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