Value Determinism and Personal Communication Practice in the Algerian Digital Context -A Semiotic Analysis of Selected Emojis

Abstract

This study explores the intersection of value determinism theory and personal communication practices in the Algerian digital context. Using Roland Barthes’ semiotic model of denotation and connotation, it analyzes a selected set of emojis frequently used in personal interactions on Social media. The findings reveal that emojis convey implicit cultural and moral values-both positive and negative—that shape interpersonal communication. Symbols such as the red heart and folded hands express values like love, gratitude, and humility, while others like the angry face and pile of poo reflect aggression, disrespect, and symbolic tension. The study confirms that even everyday digital symbols are embedded with meanings that align-or conflict-with the core assumptions of value determinism, offering insight into how digital communication reflects and influences societal value systems.