Interviewer: Good morning and welcome to ‘Here and now’. we’re talking about emoji, the new language of the . How often do you use a small, colourful symbol you’re texting a friend, when you’re sharing photos on media or when you’re posting a comment on an forum? Emoji are everywhere, but where do they come originally, Sam?
Sam: Well, the inventor of the first , Shigetaka Kurita, is from Japan. The word ‘emoji’ comes the Japanese words for picture (‘e’) and letter (‘moji’). are now around1,200 different emoji. They represent people, food ideas from every culture, not only Japan. People all the world use emoji every day, and they’re now a truly international language.
Interviewer: And why are emoji popular?
Sam: Probably because they show our emotions. When ’re communicating using instant messaging or text messages, we aren’t to the other person face-to-face. It’s sometimes difficult to how the other person feels. Are they joking or they serious? Using an emoji is also a quick to respond to a message when you’re in a . On social media people often use a ‘like’ symbol an emoji in the place of words to respond other people’s posts because it’s fast and easy. So help us to connect with others in our busy , and do it fast. The most popular emoji is heart!
Interviewer: Emoji aren’t just a form of communication, they? They’re developing into an art form too!
Sam: , that’s right. Look around - there are emoji T-shirts, , videos, stories and songs. Some artists are creating large from hundreds of tiny emoji.
Interviewer: So emoji are , but most of all they add a bit of and colour to our lives - a bit of too! And that’s why we really love them.