ABSTRACT
This study analysed the use of Facebook emojis to construct meanings of izaci namaqhalo esiXhosa (isiXhosa proverbs and idioms), and the use of Facebook emojis by isiXhosa Facebook subscribers in creating new meanings of isiXhosa expressions. The snowball sampling technique was used to select Facebook posts related to the reinterpretation of Facebook emojis to create meanings of izaci namaqhalo esiXhosa from the period of October 4, 2019 to January 28, 2020. To analyse the data, the study used thematic analysis, where two primary themes emerge: (1) the reinterpretation of Facebook emojis to create meanings of izaci namaqhalo esiXhosa and (2) reinterpretation of Facebook emojis to create new meanings of isiXhosa expressions. Findings show that in some languages, especially Nguni languages, social media users have reinterpreted these emojis by adopting them to their languages and giving them new meanings. Furthermore, because of their visualisation, findings also revealed that proverbs and idioms, especially in isiXhosa language, have been constructed using some of these emojis. Therefore, these are interesting findings, especially after the introduction of the fourth industrial revolution, and the fact that it adds to the big question about the future of the human language, particularly indigenous languages.
