Do emojis make language better? - 6 Minute English

Emojis are part of our daily communication. They've been around for more than 20 years, but are these colourful faces helping to bring people together or contributing to illiteracy? Sam and Neil talk about this topic and teach you related vocabulary.

This week's question
Emojis were invented in 1999 in Japan for the first internet-enabled mobile phones. The name, 'emoji', comes from the combination of two Japanese words, but which words?
a) face and emotion
b) picture and character
c) message and image
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
the grammar police
(informal) people who want to have correct English spelling and grammar written online, and who criticise those who don't follow grammar rules

a jaundiced view (of something)
only seeing the negative side of something because of your own bad experience with it

the dark ages
a time in the past considered not advanced and characterised by a lack of knowledge and progress

dating
spending time with someone you have started a romantic relationship

lucky in love
lucky in finding a romantic partner

it stands to reason (that)
it seems likely to be true (that); it makes sense (that) back to the dark ages

[Cover: Getty Images]
You can download audio and text here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220901

More 6 Minute English episodes:
People who can taste words
https://youtu.be/cr2TXucwjVk

Finding your way in space
https://youtu.be/EBAc4PIQC2Y

Britain's love affair with coffee
https://youtu.be/fJoCs5Z_QvE

Intimacy on screen
https://youtu.be/4pDImFxHNuY

Personalised diets
https://youtu.be/dJZ9CSbGueU

How green is nuclear energy?
https://youtu.be/naB_3XYRtew

Why we forget the things we learn
https://youtu.be/1iHeeMlOsyc

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