An Analysis of WhatsApp Smiley Emoji Usage and Interpretation among ST. Augustine University Students in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Rwezahula, Joanita K. (2025) An Analysis of WhatsApp Smiley Emoji Usage and Interpretation among ST. Augustine University Students in Mwanza, Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study examines the analysis and interpretation of emojis used in WhatsApp text messages among students at St. Augustine University in Tanzania. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a universal understanding of emoji usage. Since University students are digital natives and keen on using emojis frequently to express themselves emotionally in their digital communication, such as WhatsApp Messenger. The study aimed in identifying the most common WhatsApp smiley emoji used by St. Augustine University students, establish diverse interpretations of WhatsApp smiley emoji among St. Augustine University students, examine the influence of WhatsApp smiley emoji usage on communication patterns and social interactions among St. Augustine University students and identifying challenges encountered by SAUT students when using WhatsApp smiley emoji‘s. Symbolic interactionism and Semiotic theory are used to analyze patterns of communication, interpretation, and adjustment between individuals in society. These theories have a framework for understanding how individuals interact with each other and within society through the meanings of symbols. Mixed research approach used with sequential explanatory design so as to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research problem. Purposive and simple random sampling was used to get the total number of 153 students, whereby 121 students were given a questionnaire, and the remaining 32 were grouped into four groups, each group containing eight students for focus group discussion. Data were analyzed by using both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. The findings indicated that there is plenty of meaning interpretation for each emoji smiley. Out of the examined smileys used as the variable in this research, only seven smileys which are Love, kiss, lying, drooling, sleepy, crying, delicious, were interpreted similarly by all the respondents (100%), whereas the rest was interpreted differently according to their understandings of the smileys' meaning. Nevertheless, some smileys are not yet well understood by the users of their intended meaning, causing them to interpret the smileys based on their perception and understanding. The lowest percentages of correct interpretations (lesser than 50%) are mostly the smileys that has same intended meaning as other common smileys but has different visual expressions such as zipper face, hushed face, cold sweat, smiling face with halo, screaming with fear, unamused, flushed face, disappointed face, confounded face, fearful face, hugging face, teasing face, rolling eyes face, expressionless face, frowning face with open mouth, pouting face that looks like kissing, and worried face. It is recommended to incorporate Emoji Studies into Digital Communication and Media Curricula, as emojis are now a fundamental part of digital communication. Academic institutions, especially media and communication schools, should integrate emoji interpretation into their curriculum. This will help students develop critical digital literacy skills, equipping them to analyse emoji use in various professional, academic, and social contexts. Also, WhatsApp Messenger should introduce a built-in guide or emoji glossary within the application that provides users with official definitions of each emoji as intended by its developers. This feature should be easily accessible in the chat interface, allowing users to tap and view the meaning of an emoji before using it. Key terms: WhatsApp, Smiley Emoji, Usage and Interpretation, St. Augustine University students

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