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Emojis as tools of collective judgment

A form-to-function analysis of cancel culture discourse

ORCiD logo with link | University of Limerick, Ireland
ORCiD logo with link | Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Published online: 13 March 2026
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/jlac.00149.mir
Abstract
Cancel culture has proliferated in cyberspace; groups target actions perceived as morally wrong to assert their ethical stance. These attacks aim to punish or “cancel” specific users, often in attempts to ostracize them from digital spaces, with possible real-world repercussions. In this study, we examine the pragmatic role of emojis in cancel culture discourse by analyzing Instagram comments from four prominent Brazilian cancellation cases, applying a form-to-function corpus pragmatics approach. Our findings indicated that face emojis were used most frequently, conveying users’ emotional stance, including frequent use as sarcasm cues. However, non-facial emojis referenced the reason for the cancellation or were used metaphorically to intensify the nature of the criticism. Thus, emojis not typically linked to negativity can be repurposed to express shared values and reinforce collective disapproval. Ultimately, this study sheds light on the nuanced micro-level dynamics of emoji use in cancel culture, highlighting their role in amplifying group solidarity and expressing disapproval of the target.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Cancel culture
  • 3.The (cyber)pragmatics of emojis
  • 4.Methodology
    • 4.1Data
    • 4.2Emoji extraction
  • 5.Analysis and discussion
    • 5.1Interactional dynamics of cancellation in the Brazilian context
      • 5.1.1Illustrative case: Gabriela Pugliesi
    • 5.2Emojis as pragmatic resources in cancel culture
    • 5.3Face vomiting (🤮) and nauseated face (🤢)
    • 5.4Pile of poo (💩)
    • 5.5Face with tears of joy (😂)
    • 5.6Clapping hand (👏)
    • 5.7Case-specific emoji usage
      • 5.7.1Emojis in the cancellation of Gabriela
      • 5.7.2Emojis in the cancellation of Lilia
        • 5.7.2.1Honeybee (🐝): BeyHive allegiance
        • 5.7.2.2Fire (🔥), black heart (🖤) and raised fist (✊🏾) : Resistance, identity and solidarity
        • 5.7.2.3Cookie emoji (🍪): Attention-seeking
      • 5.7.3Emojis in the cancellation of Monark
    • 5.8Emoji reduplication in cancel culture
  • 6.Conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Note
  • References
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