Roughly two million years before, humans lived in caves, spoken language was being developed and communication was largely through symbols and pictures.
Roughly two million years later, humans live in apartments, spoken language is developed, but they still communicate largely through symbols and pictures!

Sometimes I wonder if I am destroying what our ancestors developed over so many years when I send an occasional smiley face to my friends. Language. The essence of being human. The only line of demarcation between us and other animals is our knowledge. Language holds quite an important position at it.
I am quite sure great authors such as Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Agatha Christie will be really disgusted, and upset about this whole yellow-colored-expressive-heads business. Today’s generation lacks the skill of weaving their emotions through words. We just get a thumbs-up emoji instead of real appreciation, laughing emojis instead of humor.
Well, where is individualism in it!? Everyone reacts exactly the same to everything. We have degraded our horizon and the capacity to analyze.
I feel emojis play a large part in making us more and more fake. Think when the last time you sent a laughing emoji, were you really laughing? Emojis are an easy way of cutting some slack, and being artificial. When you can’t think, or don’t want to think of anything, just send an emoji!
I may be paranoid but I am really scared of where we are heading. When I see other kids around me with no taste of good literature, and who only know slangs like “LOL”, I feel a bit worried. Will tomorrow hold any importance of reading? I personally have only a few friends who are into reading, others just know how to bombard emojis!
These were my thoughts on an issue that I feel needs attention. What do you think about the over usage of emojis and slangs?
Do tell me in the comments section below,
And I will be the happiest to know!
~ Arnav Gupta
Woah Arnav !!
Really nice thoughts . It is so true that today are facial expressions are actually defined by those yellow circles. Great literature is losing it’s value today but hopefully some young individuals out there will actually realize that and move away from slang.
Coincidentally yesterday I just thought the same thing, but your efforts are estimable !!!
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Thank you so much for the appreciation, Kushi! It means a lot to me.
Truly said, we the people of the young generation must realize what we have been losing. Too much slang has destroyed our heritage and its high time for consideration.
Now that’s one big coincidence. Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
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I think you might be worrying too much about this. I think emojis are useful when we communicate so much in text instead of speech. When you talk to someone face to face, or even on the phone, they know what humour you’re in, whether you’re joking about something or whether you’re serious, by your expression and tone. So when we send an email or text we might be misunderstood if they can’t see us smiling. We might cause offence if we joke about something and they don’t know we’re joking. So adding a smile emoji shows them you’re smiling when you say this, and it’s really nice to be able to do that. I like it when people smile at me, in person or by email 🙂
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Exactly. It adds another layer of meaning. I like to use GIFs and memes to add more context as well. Different people will often interpret text differently, so using extra tools might better help manifest the desired inference of the intended message.
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Oh yes, now that’s the other side of the coin. I do indeed partially agree with you. Often at times when the meaning of our words remain unclear, emojis come to the rescue.
But I don’t really like when people start using words like, “IKR” and “LOL” in formal conversations.
The whole point is that you have realized the importance of literature, and that why you are an author. Kids my age are lacking all that.
Anyhow, thanks for your thoughtful comment!
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I see what you mean 🙂 I definitely prefer whole words too. What does IKR mean?
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Oh, I had a hunch you that you might not be knowing what IKR is. It’s an abbreviation for, “I know, right?”. Just a way to tell the other person that you are of the same opinion. Quite a fad lately. I never liked it, though.
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Ha ha ha 😀 No, I don’t like it either. I’ve obstinately continued to spell my words out in full when I text 😀 It’s good not to run with the crowd 😀
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IKR!
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haha!
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I can appreciate your concern, Arnav. I choose to frame it a little differently, and try to see it as a form of evolution. As I am an old-schooler at heart, I choose to respond in detailed words with an addition of an emoji for dramatic effect. I consider it the best of both worlds, as I refuse to let go of the old, and try to grasp the new. Have a great week! 😎
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I couldn’t agree more. Languages evolve and adapt. Ultimately, it’s all about communication, so it’s somewhat of a technological blessing if emojis help people understand each other better.
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Well, it’s not much of a language, emojis. Emojis are not really harming the people who have understood the importance of reading, but what about the younger generation?
They just don’t know anything more than LOL and IKR.
Thanks for commenting, though, means a lot to me!
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Younger people have always driven changes in language. I’d be more concerned if communication wasn’t evolving.
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I see what you are pointing to. Evolution is necessary, but we must not forget our heritage at the same place! If the future generations forget the joy of reading, then wouldn’t that be really sad?
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Again, it’s not for us to mandate the values of future generations. The purpose of culture is to pass on and preserve our knowledge to future generations, but it’s not their fault if they reject the culture we provide. Change is inevitable, and those who resist change will experience great misery.
In the other hand, I doubt reading will become passé. If anything, letting future generations adapt the language to meet their needs will result in them taking ownership of our mutual communication, and that’s appropriate. Your concern seems specious.
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Hmmm… I get what you’re trying to say, but I am not entirely of your opinion. Ghange is inevitable, but the change which destroys our roots and glory, seems a bit unnecessary.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, have a great day!
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Now, let’s look at it. It’s a weird kind of evolution. We are changing, but going back at the same time.
That’s still considerable, and a good solution at it. When we take the best of both worlds we end up learning something new. But the problem is with the younger people, who are just limited to LOLs and all. What about them?
Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
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Agreed, the young, though, in most cases, are being led by the old. It is incumbent upon their parents to show them the importance of words, their proper usage, and their power. Everyone is connected! Keep thinking deep thoughts, it seems you were led in the right direction. 😉
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Rightly said. everything is connected, or so it should be.
And I will keep thinking on deeper levels, and share my musings with my awesome friends on the blog!
Have a great day!
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As long as we are reading along with the emoji’s I don’t see civilization dying. There are other things that we should worry about that are a little more serious. Thanks for your thoughts.
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Absolutely right, people like you have understood the importance of reading and its many fancies. But what about the younger people who are stuck to words like “IKR” and “LOL”
I know they are WAY too serious things out there, but I can’t talk about them all, can I? I just tried to reflect my opinions on the topic, and I am happy to know yours.
Thanks for commenting!
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It is good to see a young person thinking about life. It is good to exchange ideas with friendship and no shouting. I just happen to believe that the world would be a better place if we all read more and learn from it.
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Absolutely right, my friend! After all, what is the point of our existence if we don’t learn and bag new experiences!?
Have a great day!
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Hm, interesting post, Arnav! I think that it’s true it might be problematic if we only use emojis for responses, but at some points I think it does make sense to add to your message an emoji to convey feelings? It’s really an interesting topic!
*refrains from using a smiley face emoji*
*wonders if she SHOULD be refraining from that*
*um*
*okay then I’ll stop now*
*Um ok now I want to put a laughing emoji there*
*I promise I’m actually laughing*
*at myself*
*Ok, um. We’ll stop now*
Anyway, good post!
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Truely said, Naomi. Emojis are sometimes useful in adding more sense to our words. But you have understood the importance of reading, that’s why you blog and write. But what about all the other kids!? They just don’t seem to know anything other than LOL and IKR.
You make me laugh every single time!! Always ranting! And thanks for the appreciation, means a lot to me!
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Such a neat post! *bombards you with emojis* Haha, Just kidding!
I mostly communicate through memes made into stickers. Great conversation starter/killer, depending on how people look at it. 😀
Also, I feel like since you are a voracious reader and an intelligent person (based on your posts ^_^), it’s quite natural to think differently!
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Sometimes a simple ❤ felt acknowledgement goes a long way 🙂 Be well, Arnav.
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Oh thank you so so much, Donna!! Your encouragement means a lot to me.
Stay safe and be well, too!
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Interesting post! I think if you use emojis all the time instead of having a real conversation, that wouldn’t be good, but they can be fun and good to use when you don’t know what else to say.
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Oh, that’s truley said. I just can’t bear with people who can’t say anything more than LOL and IKR. Feels a bit sad thinking that reading and literature are losing their value.
And yes, emojis are real handy when you just don’t know what to say. Adds a little friendly tone to the whole conversation.
Thanks for commenting, Rowan! Your appreciation means a lot to me.
Take care!
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I think you miiiiiiight be true, but I use emojis to an unhealthy extent myself and I don’t see it affecting adversely on me, at least I think, so I’m gonna stick with it 😂. Great post though!
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Exactly
I have the same thoughts as her
Gr8 post btw!
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Thank you so much Akshita!
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Haha, it does effect the majority of people though, and quite drastically at it!
Thanks for the appreciation, means a lot to me!
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wow, ive never thought it this way before!! I feel like emojis are the only way we can convey our emotions via text however i do agree overuse of slangs and emojis is annoying
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Oh yes it is quite annoying. People nowadays can’t seem to think of anything except LOL and IKR.
Thanks for the appreciation, Arwa! Means a lot to me!
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Well. you certainly are thinking and that is good. I’ve never used imojies. I love words and prefer using them instead. Cheers, Muriel
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Oh yes, I have observed that, you not using emojis. But still your emails are always so heartwarming that they don’t really need emojis!
Take care,
Arnav
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well I agree about this. However I do send emojis to people who I am really not interested in talking ( to just prevent more sick jokes) and talking leads to nothing because well they are laughing at their own jokes!( I dont get many you know) Many people may do this. however it is important to note that I take conversations serious with those who are into some meaningful. So slightly emojis have been a great help but all it is to say emojis are a way to derail good conversations. As I pointed out before! Great post though! I also have very few friends who read( Books I mean)
Kunjal!
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I feel exactly the same, oh so many times. Emojis can spoil some really intelligent conversations. And yeah, you can use them to bring a poor conversation to an end too!
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Kunjal, it means a lot to me!
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Ikr?( 😂) Okay well..
I appreciated you understood what I meant! ~Kunjal.
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I personally think emojis convey our feelings better. Text along with emojis give a bit of life to the message I feel 🙂 Of course, this is just my opinion.
A good thought and a post nevertheless from you 🙂
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Thanks for the appreciation Vingesh, it means a lot!
Yes, emojis can make text messages more friendly and engaging, but at the same time I find it really annoying when people can’t say anything but LOL and IKR!
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This is a very sound, insightful post, Arnav. I generally try to write words indicating my laughter with a smiley – but sometimes I don’t – you have made me think about that. I don’t even know most text abbreviations and I never use them
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Ugh, I dislike the word LOL so much, especially when there is nothing funny going on. Like someone answers “I’m good LOL” after asking How are you.
Some even write LOLz. What on earth is that ?!?! 🤨
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Oh oh oh, even I have experienced the same thing. My own friends end up sending LOL after every message. It’s like they are some kind of Pokemon who can’t say more than a word.
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Bookworm, I’m impressed with both your willingness to write about this and the thoughtful conversation threads in this posting. (I had never heard of IKR but was personally happy to have guessed its meaning correctly). I sometimes use an emoji when I should respond positively but do not really care enough to do so with words–it checks a block for me. I’m still trying to figure out how someone could theoretically write a paper using just emojis, if that is a real thing rather than a punchline. 😉
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Thanks for the appreciation, means a lot to me! I was particularly so busy last week that I couldn’t respond to your comment.
Writing a paper using just emojis!? Well I guess it can be possible. There are too many emojis for words. Why don’t you try doing so, I will help! Haha
Take care,
Arnav
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I’m not that into emojis and mostly use them on my cell phone. I hte writing much of anything on my cellphone. ;(
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Reblogged this on e-Quips and commented:
Do you think that emojis are taking the place of written words? Read 14 year old Bookworm’s take on the topic. IKR?
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Very insightful post. A topic of everyday life but very much neglected. We need to change our specs and turn to our traditional views! ♥️
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Rightly said, my friend! Thanks for the appreciation!
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Most welcome 🙂
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developed and communication
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Dear Arnav,
I share your opinion. We underestimate the effect of the medium upon our thinking and our culture. I recently read a very thought-provoking book entitled, “The Shallows – What the internet is doing to our brains,” which was very eye-opening and not a little disturbing.
As an example that touches upon emojis, take text messaging (which preceded and gave rise to emojis). When I grew up friends wrote actual letters to one another regularly. The letters had whole sentences and paragraphs, like we had all learned in school. Friends also called one another on the phone. I knew all of my friends’ phone numbers by heart. Then cell phones arrived with text messaging and contact lists. Suddenly I observe a whole generation of people (including my children) who seem terrified of calling each other. Texting is the only acceptable method. And the texting isn’t like writing a letter, or sending an email. It’s stuff like IKR and LOL, or at best sentence fragments. And this is understandable when cell phones made you text using a phone keypad where each number represented three or four letters, but now there is no excuse, and yet there is no going back. And in no small way, as we communicate, so we tend to think within ourselves.
Now, even in my workplace, I observe a whole generation of people that seem like their communication skills are lacking, their grammar and spelling are awful (why bother, Microsoft Word will fix it all for me!), and they are poor at expressing themselves.
Of course, none of this is cause for despair, but it is healthy to understand the times and trends in which we live and reflect upon them. And if we recognize something we don’t like, we can take steps to counter it, at least wthin ourselves. So, keep writing and giving full expression to your thoughts. Let others sink into emojis and acronym-speak, but you can set your own standard and be an example! 🙂 (gratuitous emoji as a bit or parting humor).
Take care,
Craig
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Oh Caraig, thank you so much for this wonderful comment. Your deep analyitcs mean a lot to me!
it must be really horrific to a person who used to write letters seeing people use emojis so relentlessly today. It is indeed sad. People have just forgotten the joy, the essence of a book, of actual words…
And yes, call it a social block or something, people do hesitate of calling each other. Even I have felt so. Saying LOL seems much easier!
And take a 🙂 from me too, as parting humor if you say!
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A fascinating topic and I’m quite surprised to see a teenager write about this! It is indeed a shame that people can no longer weave their emotions into words. I agree with your concluding note too, that this needs to be addressed, and that we need to respect the languages our ancestors gave us. We turn water into mud by overusing slangs, especially teens. Loved your matured thought process and pragmatic take. 😊 (for the record, I’m really smiling).
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Your comment was indeed thoughtful. We need to respect our heritage, or we may as well end up in thick mud!
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WOW !! such deep thoughts ,well done writing Mr. bookworm. Didn’t know i had such a thoughtful friend . I agree that our friends use lol all the time., but emojis are so manifest , one whole para emotion in one click . In 21 st century where people are so busy everyday we don’t get time to write everything in one go . ya but it is also true that Agatha Christie will never approve this . But anyway good job . ps- next time u use an emoji i will remind u for sure .- SHREYA THOMAS
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You have a very good point, Arnav. In recent decades humanity seems to feed its own ignorance. I think you’ve identified one more way in which we do that. Thanks for sharing your intriguing thoughts. Hugs on the wing.
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PS: I’m still laughing, thinking about Mark Twain’s reaction to emojis!
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Haha!
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Oh yes, you are absoltetly right. It seems the human race wants to detoriate the standards of humanity beyond measure. Take for example climate change!
I am glad you liked the post. Hugs on the wings to you too!
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As much as I love emojis, I do think it’s a matter of concern. We need to bring back good literature because reading just makes people smarter and more aware of everything around the world.
Here’s a 💜 for such a nice and thoughtful post:)
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An interesting discussion, Bookworm…I see your point but sometimes an emoji does confirm your feelings… a bit of both is good…but IDK???? Emojis I understand …sigh 🙂 Have a lovely day 🙂
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Oh yeah, a balance is necessary. It is al right with you adults, who have already grasped with the importance of emojis, but what about all the young people!? Emojis just make the shallower and shallower.
And yes, These LOLs and IDKs are too much for me too!
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Arnav, I think you hit a nerve! Lots of good comments. I agree that often we become slothful through the use of emojis but I do appreciate them when it’s hard to convey a nuance such as sarcasm.
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Thank you so much Pat! And yes, there was an amazing discussion in the comments section.
Thanks for giving this a read,
Arnav
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I never thought it in this way, good one, may be we all use it more because sign can be understand very easily it is universal but using emoji become too much, you are right
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Emojis are easy to understand, so they are bound to shallow are thought process in the long run.
I am glad you agree with me! 🙂
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Indeed
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