Final answer:
The use of emoticons and emoji depends on the communication context and audience. They help convey emotion in online communication but may be inappropriate in professional settings. The way younger generations use emoji also suggests evolving language trends.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of emoticons and emoji is a nuanced subject. In communication, especially online where tone and facial expressions are absent, emoticons can be useful to convey emotions and attitudes, like humor or teasing, that might not be otherwise apparent. However, their use should be considered carefully in relation to the audience and the context. For more formal communication or in certain professional settings, the use of emoticons may be seen as distracting and is generally discouraged. Recognizing who the intended reader is and who else might see the email is critical in deciding whether to use them. Furthermore, research has shown that students often use emoji in an informal manner, especially when communicating with peers, to express ideas and emotions that may deviate from the widely accepted meanings of these symbols.
Emojis can play a role in creating a more informal tone or injecting humour into conversation, but they can also create confusion if the receiver interprets them differently or if they are out of place in the context. It has been noted that younger generations may wish to use language and symbols like emoji to establish their own cultural identity, which can include varying the meanings of certain emoji from the conventional understanding. While this evolving usage offers an opportunity for further study in language trends among youths, it also suggests caution in their use across different communication channels and audiences.