Emojis aren’t as offensive to editors as you’d think – in fact, they enhance language

It’s easy to dismiss emojis as useless affronts to the written word, but they often reveal more about the people using them than traditional keyboards can

Sub-editors have long held a reputation for being slightly awkward pedants. Sticklers for stuffy language rules that belong in an antiquated era banished by the relentless speed of 24 hour news. There is some truth in that stereotype, but a conversation at a dinner party got me thinking about how important it is for The Independent to adapt and embrace new forms of communication.

I was asked whether I thought emojis were damaging language. And the truth is, I don’t. I use them regularly in private conversation. They can enhance the meaning of words and even convey body language when the written form can’t express what you want to say.

The former president of Interpol sent his wife a knife emoji just before he went missing earlier this month. She took that to mean that he was in danger. So whether we like it or not, emojis have weaved their way into our news coverage and it’s the sub’s job to decide how they are presented.

Should Donald Trump use an emoji in one of his many early morning tweets, then I’d argue the graphic should be put on our pages. We tend not to correct his spelling mistakes or edit his writing style when it doesn’t conform to ours. His use of capital letters can be an eyesore, but we give the reader a more truthful portrayal of him by presenting his tweets unedited.

Will there come a time when Tom Peck signs off one of his hilarious sketches with a winking emoji? Probably not. But should the time come, you can guarantee The Independent’s subs will debate the merits of it with just as much passion as we did over whether or not to hyphenate liftoff on the Daily Edition front page.

Yours,

Zak Thomas,

Sub-editor