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Emojis as mediators of digital communication: a social semiotic analysis of Taylor Swift’s Instagram posts

2025/07/03 by Yaling Deng, Jinxin Jiang · 1 voice
Computer Science · Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Digital Communication and Language #Discourse Analysis in Language Studies #Media, Communication, and Education

paper · doi:10.1080/15405702.2025.2552775

openalex publication_date 2025/07/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/14

Abstract

The emoji has been an integral part of digital communication since its creation. It has been extensively employed in digital contexts to express emotions and meanings. Meanwhile, emojis are favored by a wide range of people on social media, especially some celebrities. The interpretation of emojis is influenced by various factors, such as language rules or cultures, so different communities may assign different meanings to multiple emojis according to these factors. Taylor Swift, a globally recognized artist and public icon, uses Instagram as a powerful platform for communication and self-expression. This study explores the use of emojis within Taylor Swift’s Instagram posts, with a specific emphasis on their importance in shaping her public perception, transmitting emotions and attitudes, and their interpretation in various cultural settings. This research employs a social semiotic approach to examine how Taylor Swift uses emojis to construct meanings and establish connections with her followers.

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