The Functions of E-Laughter in WhatsApp Conversations Among Students

Abstract

The terms of e-laughter (haha, hoho, hehe) are implicitly understood by everyone (Larson, 2015). Mostly WhatsApp is used to share written messages and images. It is also has been used to share their emotions, such as laughter. This study intended to focus on types of e-laughter and the function in WhatsApp conversations. This study explored 30 WhatsApp conversations and 30 online surveys to achieve the aims and goals by using Conversational Analysis (CA). This study resulted that e-laughter in the forms of emojis are being used universally among students, and laughter particles are functioned to express the emotion of laughter as in face to face interaction in mobilising the topics in WhatsApp conversations. These findings suggested that emojis are of high frequency, functionality, and efficiency in WhatsApp communication. Interestingly, e-laughter played a vital role in reflecting the non-verbal symbols in face-toface communication. In socio-emotional settings, people frequently use laughter emojis to create a lively atmosphere to boost conversation (Li & Yang, 2018).