Mastering the Language of Emojis: A Guide for the Clueless

The Inside Scoop on the Digital Hieroglyphs Taking Over Our Chats.

Nathan Chen
6 min readJul 23, 2023
Photo by cottonbro CG studio from Pexels

Yo, what’s up, world? I see you’re here for a little emoji enlightenment, huh? Don’t sweat it, pal. I’ve got you covered.

We live in a world where a single 🍆 or 🍑 can spark controversy, where 😂 could mean you’re crying or just feeling super chill. So, grab your explorer hats and water bottles, because we’re going on a trek through the wild, wacky, and sometimes utterly bewildering landscape of emojis.

Now, let’s tackle the elephant in the room, or rather, the 🐘 on the screen. What’s with all these emojis?

Think of emojis like a global language. Kind of like English, but far more entertaining and far less Shakespeare. They’re the visual shorthand of the digital age, breaking through language barriers, enhancing communication, and providing that much-needed dose of humor and emotional nuance to our otherwise bland text exchanges.

But, here’s the deal — just as with any other language, you don’t want to be the doofus who sends a 😹 when you meant to send a 😿. Trust me, it’s not pretty.

Let’s be real: Mastering emojis is like taming a wild beast. It takes finesse, patience, and a dash of daring. But fear not…

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Nathan Chen

I'm Nathan Chen, a queer Asian writer advocating for LGBTQ+ issues, Asian representation, work life & mental health. Let's explore life's complexities together!