A very experienced Quora member (by the name Gopalkrishna) asked me this question:
Would you approve of symbols like the smiley “ :)” being accepted as standard English punctuation? What more can you suggest?
Here was my response to the intriguing question....
Hi Gopalkrishna!
Thanks for the request! Honoured to answer your query Sir!
This is an exhaustive topic. There are many dimensions to this. I will certainly present my view.
First of all, I believe that the purpose of any language is to establish communication. If the ideas/thoughts are not successfully communicated the existence of a language is futile.
As far as the English language is concerned, it has evolved over time, and has changed with the changing times. English has adopted words from almost all the languages.
The syntax also has adapted with the changing requirements.
Let me quote an example:
In my childhood there was a clear, distinct use of ‘will’ and ‘shall’.
I still recollect the expression on my teacher’s face if I ever messed up.
Today, things have changed. ‘Will’ is the dominant form in today’s world.
So what about the fast moving 21st century?
The generation of today wants to communicate fast, and communicate effectively. Let us also understand that during the 80s and the 90s the computer chatting was not so common. Social media wasn’t an ‘in’ thing!
Therefore we have to accept the fact that the needs have changed. The need for the ‘shortcut lingo’ arose when the SMS had limitations for the number of characters.
So, “I am fine. See you tonight.” became -
The word ‘cool’ which indicated a low temperature, acquired the new meaning ‘very good’.
However, smileys ARE NOT punctuation marks!
Altering the meaning, formal and informal language differences are alright, but to contemplate smileys and emoticons as standard English punctuation marks is too much!
No!
Not for the next five years. I know in 2025 I might have to write an entirely different article on this.
The SMS lingo I presented above, came into being due to the need to save money. Still it cannot be accepted as proper language in the exams.
I can hear some students protesting “Sir, but it saves time!”
I believe that the English language already provides a lot of scope for contractions.
I am - I’m
They have - They’ve etc.
Smileys and emoticons convey emotions, and if you have noticed they are added after the sentence has already ended.
Example 1:
Do bring a cake for me. :DHere the sentence was over, and the smiley later just added to the sentiments.
So if that’s the case why not write/type…
Do bring a cake for me!
A single exclamatory mark did it!
Example 2:
What are you doing? >:-(Instead why not write/type…
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
The use of capital letters for emphasis and the question mark at the end did it!
Anyway, if one is using the smileys, they are not writing anything formal.
Conclusion:
No. smileys are emotions. They are not to be considered as punctuation marks.For casual chats, and to exchange trivial messages is one thing, but they do not have a place in the formal documentation. At least yet!
Hope I was able to satiate your thirst!
Cheers!
