Proceedings of the 2021 International Conference on Education, Language and Art (ICELA 2021)

Pragmatic Function of the “Doge” Emoji on Weibo

Authors
Simin Xiong1, *
1Nanchang Business College of Jiangxi Agriculture University, Gongqing, Jiangxi,China
*Corresponding author. Email:Elise.xiong@outlook.com
Corresponding Author
Simin Xiong
Available Online 1 February 2022.
DOI
10.2991/assehr.k.220131.120How to use a DOI?
Keywords
“Doge” emoji; Weibo; pragmatic function; Speech Act Theory
Abstract

Emoji have become a pervasive communication tool through the proliferation of social media, it has several functions to facilitate the achievement of the communicative goal. Previous research concluded several functions of emoji. However, limited attention has been given to the function of a specific emoji. Thus, this research focuses on the pragmatic function of “Doge” emoji on Weibo. Based on earlier studies and Speech Act Theory, this study argues that “Doge” emoji has four functions, which are indicating humor, indicating irony, avoiding arguments and softening conflicts. To test this hypothesis, 104 Weibo users were invited to complete a questionnaire to judge the function of “Doge” emoji which is used on Weibo. Based on the analysis of the results, this research concluded that when used on “Weibo”, Doge emoji has four functions. In addition, “Doge” emoji can express more than one function at the same time in one utterance. Third, the function of emoji connects closely with the context. It would transform with a change of context. Finally, it would cause misunderstandings when using “Doge” emoji since it could express several meanings.

Copyright
© 2022 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 2021 International Conference on Education, Language and Art (ICELA 2021)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
1 February 2022
ISBN
978-94-6239-527-5
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/assehr.k.220131.120How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2022 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license.

Cite this article

TY  - CONF
AU  - Simin Xiong
PY  - 2022
DA  - 2022/02/01
TI  - Pragmatic Function of the “Doge” Emoji on Weibo
BT  - Proceedings of the 2021 International Conference on Education, Language and Art (ICELA 2021)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 653
EP  - 658
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.220131.120
DO  - 10.2991/assehr.k.220131.120
ID  - Xiong2022
ER  -