IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 23, Issue 4, Ver. 3 (April. 2018) PP 54-58 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0837-2304035458 www.iosrjournals.org 54 | Page Justification of Emoticons as Verbal Vs Nonverbal Communication Tool Aaysha Hamid Lecturer, Department Of English, Daffodil International University Corresponding Author: Ayasha Hamid Abstract: Emoticon Is An Abbreviated Version Of „Emotion Icons‟ Referred To Graphical Sign For Example, Sad/Frown Face Is Regularly Used In Electronic Mediated Communication Messaging. They Are Frequently Used To Humanize Conversation And Convey Emotion Via Channels Of Communication That Is Parallel To Semantic One. Emoticons Have Been A Pervasive Communication Tools Used Mostly While Interacting In Social Media. Undoubtedly, That Is Supposed To Be An Informal Tool To Be Used Among Friends And Family Members, A Large Portion Of Formal Official Communication Uses Emoticons In Emails And Other Media. But Whether It Falls In The Category Of Verbal Or Nonverbal Communication Tool Is Not Apparent. This Study Aims At Justifying If Emoticons Belong To Verbal Or Nonverbal Communication Tool. A Qualitative Research Has Been Conducted Based On Secondary Qualitative Data To Explore Different Dimensions Of Emoticons, Properties Of Both Verbal And Nonverbal Communications, And Categorize Emoticon As Either Of Those. Observational Aspect Along With Researcher‟s Intuition Has Been Given Priority To Conclude The Justification. Keywords: Emoticons, Communication, Verbal, Nonverbal, Social Media --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 09-04-2018 Date of acceptance: 23-04-2018 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION: The Rise Of Social And Digital Media Has Created A Gateway For Emoticons. The Widespread Of Emoticons Have Adhered So Strongly With On-Going Traditional Communication Tools That It Will Be Inconceivable For Common Netizens (I.E., Internet Citizens) To Communicate Emotions Properly Devoid Of Emoticons. Everyday 90% Of The Online Population Use Emoticons In Sending Text And Emails (Cell Press, 2017). The Evolution Of Emoticons Has Also Created An Opportunity For Substituting Words In Text Messages, Social Media Apps, And Sometimes Even In Emails. As Emoticons Are One Of The Easiest And Shortest Means Of Communication That Exerts Emotions And Helps The Message Receivers To Comprehend Denoted Messages Easily, Netizens Have Been Accustomed To Use It In Online Communications. The Importance Of Positive Communication Relies On The Proper Comprehension Of Diversified Impacts Of Communication Types. So, The Understanding Of The Communication Type Of Emoticon Can Play A Role To Enhance Proper Communication In Different Situations. Objectives Of The Study: The Main Objective Of The Study Is To Identify Whether Emoticons Are Verbal Or Nonverbal Communication. In Addition To That, Some More Specific Objectives Have Been Served As Follows –  To Identify Different Dimensions Of Emoticons  To Study Properties Of Verbal And Nonverbal Communications  To Provide Justification To Categorize Emoticons As Verbal Or Nonverbal Background Of The Study: Identifying The Types Of Communication Can Be A Confusing Effort. In Order To Identify The Types Of Communication, It Is Required To Analyze The Verbal And Nonverbal Properties Of A Communication. For Example, Facial Expression, Eye Contact, Posture Or Body Language Are The Hints For Nonverbal Communications. During Interpersonal Communication Body Language And Facial Expression Helps To Articulate Emotions. Cues (E.G. Body Language, Facial Expression, Voice Pitch) Come Into Assistance For Easy And Clear Communication Of Intricate Expression Of Emotion (Park & Fink, 2013). Without The Inklings Of Emotions In Interpersonal Communication, It Is Hardly Possible To Connect With The Receiver Of The Message And Sometimes The Receiver Of The Message Might Feel That Sender And Receiver Are At A Cross