A Semiotic Analysis of Emoji as Non-Verbal Communication in Digital Interaction on Elon Musk’s X Account

Firmansyah, Rizqi Putra and Dewi, Septi Riana (2025) A Semiotic Analysis of Emoji as Non-Verbal Communication in Digital Interaction on Elon Musk’s X Account. Skripsi thesis, Universitas Teknologi Yogyakarta.

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Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the semiotic meaning of emoji found in Elon Musk Account as a non-verbal communication medium to understand how emojis shape a distinctive meaning in digital interaction. By using a qualitative descriptive method, the writer provides a detailed description of the emoji that are found in the Elon Musk’s X account in January 2025. In analyzing the data, the writer found that there were 98 data of emojis in Elon Musk’s X account in January 2025. The writer categorized the data using O’Hair’s non-verbal communication functions to find the semiotic meaning of the emoji of each function. The writer uses semiotics theory to analyze the semiotic meaning of emojis that were found in this study by associating emojis used in Elon Musk's posts as symbols and then relate the concept of non-verbal communication functions as reference/thought. As a result, the writer finds 4 out of 6 non-verbal communication functions that can be inferred from each emoji. There are 23 emojis functioning as reinforcement for verbal messages, 62 emojis functioning as substitution for verbal messages, 10 emojis functioning as contradictory for verbal messages, and 3 emojis functioned to create immediacy. The writer's semiotic analysis indicates that the meaning of an emoji is subject to variation depending on the interpretation of the individual user.

Item Type: Thesis (Skripsi, Tugas Akhir or Kerja Praktek) (Skripsi)
Uncontrolled Keywords: digital interaction, Elon Musk, emoji, non-verbal communication, semiotics, X (formerly twitter)
Subjects: P Language and Literature > PR English literature
Divisions: Fakultas Humaniora > S1 Bahasa Inggris
Depositing User: Kaprodi S1 Bahasa Inggris UTY
Date Deposited: 11 Sep 2025 07:43
Last Modified: 18 Sep 2025 07:46
URI: http://eprints.uty.ac.id/id/eprint/18801

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