THE ROLE OF EMOJIS IN UNDERSTANDING FRENCH PRAGMATICS
Keywords:
French pragmatics; digital language; emoji; politeness strategies; beginner French learnersAbstract
French is not only a language of grammar and vocabulary—it’s also a language of feelings and politeness. But how do French people show emotions when they text? This thesis explores how emojis (such as the heart symbol, winking face, or smiling face with cold sweat) help native speakers express social meaning in digital messages. I analyzed over one thousand chat messages and conducted a small online survey. I found that certain emojis often appear when the speaker says thank you, refuses something gently, or jokes without being rude. These symbols are not just decoration—they help organize polite and emotional communication. Understanding this can help French learners like me avoid misunderstandings and feel more confident in chats.
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References
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Appendix: Emoji Descriptions and Pragmatic Functions
