---
title: "From Emoticon to Emoji: How a New Language Was Created"
description: "From Emoticon to Emoji: How a New Language Was Created"
---

[Inspiring Schools Blog ](https://www.interactiveschools.com/blog)

# [From Emoticon to Emoji: How a New Language Was Created](https://www.interactiveschools.com/blog/from-emoticon-to-emoji-how-a-new-language-was-created)

 Written by [Interactive Schools Blog](https://www.interactiveschools.com/blog/author/socialinteractiveschools-com) | 17 July 2018

Before we start, let’s get this out the way - emoticons and emojis are **not** the same.

- Emoticons are formed by using typographical marks, such as **:)** or **¯\_(ツ)_/¯**
- Emojis are actual images, such as or ‍♀️

Since their birth in Japan back in 1999, emojis have exploded into text speech all around the world. From  to , emojis can be used anywhere around the world to convey **universal** messages.

### But what is it about emojis that makes them so addictive?

The use of emojis in text speech adds emotion to what you’re saying. *How exciting!!!* can quickly become sarcastic and negative just by switching the emoji to . Displaying clear emotions is most definitely a large part of the usage of emojis, but not its singular purpose.

They’re also quite often used to soften sad news. “Sorry I can’t make it tonight, but have fun ”. Or they could be used to express yourself in a more comfortable way. “️ ❤️ you”. And finally, they can be used when words are just not enough. “I bought you a car” and the reply “”.  

### Emojis help us express ourselves, but is it really enough to call it it’s own language?

Emojis may not have set rules like other languages, but there is a universal understanding of what most of them mean. Let's give this a go....

**POP QUIZ**: Can you guess what these emojis are referring to?

1. (**clue**: dance)
2. ❤️1️⃣4️⃣ (**clue**: yearly event)
3. (**clue**: film quote)
4. 1️⃣➕⏰ (**clue**: song title)
5. (**clue**: film)
6. Can you guess the song below?

Did you get them? (answers at the end of this article) 

The textbook definition of a language is “a system of communication used by a particular country or community.” And that’s essentially what emojis are. However, you might be wondering if it’s possible to hold a conversation with just emojis. Well, we’re not far off.

With a few more years, who’s to say it won’t develop into a standalone language, maybe even taking over English (the official language in 70 countries) as the **universal language** of the world?

For example, did you know there are currently around 1.5 billion people who speak English and over 4 billion internet user - **92% of which use emojis?!!**

Emojis may not be a fully fledged "language" just yet, but for how much longer can we say that? So the next time you use an emoji, whether it’s a ; ; or - you may just be contributing to the birth of a new language.

**Pop Quiz Answers**:

1. Moonwalk
2. Valentine's Day
3. "Run Forrest, run"
4. ..*.Baby one more time* (Britney Spears)
5. *ET: The Extra Terrestrial*
6. *Call Me Maybe* (Carly Rae Jepsen)

We hope you ❤️this article? We'd love to know what you felt about emoji becoming an official language? **Please do comment** 

[View full post](https://www.interactiveschools.com/blog/from-emoticon-to-emoji-how-a-new-language-was-created)

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