Monday, October 20, 2008

:) = (^_^) if you are in china, UPDATED

You might think, as I did, that emoticons are universal, but turns out if you're tweeting someone in Asia, you need a translator for emoticons, too. Want to add a smiley to the end of your message to Beijing? You should know that :) is (^_^) over there. To Asian speakers, the meaning of emoticons is derived from the eyes, while Western emoticons more often use the mouth to express meaning. A good illustration of this is the sadface. Look at our :( versus their T_T which is meant to suggest tears streaming down.

Western emoticons read left to right mirroring the way we read romance languages. But in Asia, emoticons read straight-on like pictograms, reflecting the graphic nature of character-based languages. Is it because Asian readers are more accustomed to graphic characters, or because they're more in touch with their feelings, that their emoticon glossary is more extensive than ours is. They've even got an icon for the pleasure of smoking.

(-.-)y- cigarette break

(v_v) silent resignation

(O_O) shocked

(o_O) confused, surprised, disturbed

d-_-b listening to music

fO_o scratching head

*^_^* blushing

\(^o^)/ happiness or wow!

(o)_(o) tired; sometimes used to mean crazed

(/_\) profound dismay

(H_H) pervert (from Japanese "hentai")

x.x Dead (in which case, how are you messaging?)

($_$) or (¥_¥) or (₩_₩) money eyes; thinking about money

And my two favorites:

(x(x_(X_x(O_o)x_x)_X)x) Alive among zombies

(-(-_(-_-(O_o)-_-)_-)-) Waking up in the subway

UPDATE

Joker adds a few of his own creation:

]:)
Bull fighter or horn dog. you pick

\./
Period.

:P d:
Spiderman kiss.

Wishydig observes that Western emoticons don't read left to right any more than Asian emoticons read top to bottom. Western emoticons are turned on their side, but they are still just as image based. He sends a handy link to the world's most complete compendium of smiley face options, perfect for any occasion, including when you need to convey that "user is a midget" or "user is the Pope."

More emoticon translations here and here and here

6 comments:

the girl Riot™ said...

haha, i think it's Dave who always makes fun of me for using O.o and >.> and x_x

i don't usually use _ as the middle of the face (except for dead/frustrated). nice post though!

i only use American emoticons for 'easy' emotions--
:), :(, ;)
--otherwise, the full faces just offer more range.

shaun. said...

(-.-)y-

i love it.

Wishydig said...

A nice collection. (-.-)y looks like a sleeping cat too. My favourites are the simple ones. (o_O) probably tops the list for me.

I would say that Western emoticons don't read left to right any more than Asian emoticons read top to bottom. Western emoticons are turned on their side, but they are still just as image based.

Both systems have an extensive list of images. Take a look at the variety of emoticons on this page for instance.

Joker said...

A few more random ones from me:

]:)
Bull fighter or horn dog. you pick

\./
Period.

:P d:
Spiderman kiss.

Ad Broad, oldest working writer in advertising said...

@girlriot Ha, i love the fact you already emote globally

@shaun--one of my favorites, too

@wishydig-thanks for this amazing list which I'll post in an update. Had NO idea there were so many to choose from-- user is the Pope?!

@joker Great additions. Esp the bullfighter, thanks :D

Joker said...

Thank you for adding to the post dear. ;) I'd been missing this blog something fierce (and no I didn't say that in a gay project runway manner).