Emojis used for the letters 'o' in title on title page and spine.

The Emoji Code sheds light on emoji's vital role in the expression of emotion in digital communication and more, pointing the way for the future of international communication in a provocative and entertaining way.

Shortlisted for the BAAL Book Prize 2017 Emoji have gone from being virtually unknown to being a central topic in internet communication. What is behind the rise and rise of these winky faces, clinking glasses and smiling poos? Given the sheer variety of verbal communication on the internet and English's still-controversial role as lingua mundi for the web, these icons have emerged as a compensatory universal language. The Semiotics of Emoji looks at what is officially the world's fastest-growing form of communication. Emoji, the colourful symbols and glyphs that represent everything from frowning disapproval to red-faced shame, are fast becoming embedded into digital communication. Controlled by a centralized body and regulated across the web, emoji seems to be a language: but is it? The rapid adoption of emoji in such a short span of time makes it a rich study in exploring the functions of language. Professor Marcel Danesi, an internationally-known expert in semiotics, branding and communication, answers the pertinent questions. Are emoji making us dumber? Can they ultimately replace language? Will people grow up emoji literate as well as digitally native? Can there be such a thing as a Universal Visual Language? Read this book for the answers.

Drawing from disciplines as diverse as linguistics, cognitive science, psychology, and neuroscience, The Emoji Code explores how emojis are expanding communication and not ending it. For all the handwringing about the imminent death of written language, emoji—those happy faces and hearts—is not taking us backward to the dark ages of illiteracy. Every day 41.5 billion texts are sent by one quarter of the world, using 6 million emoji. Evans argues that these symbols enrich our ability to communicate and allow us to express our emotions and induce empathy—ultimately making us all better communicators. The Emoji Code charts the evolutionary origins of language, the social and cultural factors that govern its use, change, and development; as well as what it reveals about the human mind. In most communication, nonverbal cues are our emotional expression, signal our personality, and are our attitude toward our addressee. They provide the essential means of nuance and are essential to getting our ideas across. But in digital communication, these cues are missing, which can lead to miscommunication. The explosion of emojis in recent years has arisen precisely because it fulfills exactly these functions which are essential for communication but are otherwise absent in texts and emails. Evans persuasively argues that emoji add tone and an emotional voice and nuance, making us more effective communicators in the digital age.

Kids will love cracking these secret message emoji codes! This book is fun for kids who love emojis and for kids who like to solve puzzles and brain games. You don't need a decoder ring to decode these puzzles. This fun activity book can keep kids engaged and exercising their minds while trying to solve 100 different codes based on books, movies, characters, and phrases.

If you think you're good at coming up with imaginative emoji combinations, think again! The Emoji-to-English Dictionary challenges you to step up your game with more than 100 phrases that will have you ROFL. This unique guide gives you the lowdown on the most hilarious and unexpected emoji phrases around. Divided by topic, each chapter translates dozens of emoji combinations into plain ol' English, so that you can quickly incorporate them into your messages--and even brainstorm crazy one-liners of your own! Complete with illustrations of each emoji phrase, The Emoji-to-English Dictionary provides you with the tools you need to truly master the world of emojis.

Explores the evolution of emoji, how people use them, and what they tell us about the technology-enhanced state of modern society.

"Gene is an Emoji whose one job is to look totally 'meh.' Instead, he has all kinds of emotions! Can he learn to accept his true feelings?"--

Go on an adventure with Jailbreak, rebel computer genius, in this hilarious Level 2 Ready-to-Read based on The Emoji Movie! The Emoji Movie pops into theaters on July 28, 2017! Jailbreak is a tough, beanie wearing, blue haired Emoji—there’s no device she can’t navigate. Unlock her secrets in this Level 2 Ready-to-Read! The Emoji Movie © 2017 Sony Pictures Animation Inc. All Rights Reserved. emoji® is a registered trademark of emoji company GmbH used under license

Protect your diary from snooping siblings. Share your secrets with a BFF. Guard your texts from unwanted eyes. Create the lingua franca for your own fantastical secret world! Expert language creator David J. Peterson (inventor of languages for Game of Thrones, the Marvel Universe, and more) guides you as you create own secret languages, codes, ciphers, and hidden messages. From simple cyphers to entirely new alphabets, Create Your Own Secret Language will help you master the skills of secret communication, whether it’s written, drawn, or spoken. By the time your finished reading, you’ll be able to share messages memora vosak laz vos otihoe vosecchi! (“that no one will be able to understand!") Illustrations by Ryan Goldsberry