The language of emojis: forensic and legal linguistics

THE LANGUAGE OF EMOJIS: FORENSIC AND LEGAL LINGUISTICS

Dr Zakeera Docrat, forensic and legal linguist and post-doctoral research fellow, Department of African Language Studies, University of the Western Cape

Friday 23 January  1.00 pm  COURSE FEES R115; Staff and students R58

This lecture will discuss forensic and legal linguistics in relation to the analysis and interpretation of emojis that are used as evidence in courts. It will explain how forensic and legal linguists interpret emojis in legal settings. Practical examples to show how emojis are interpreted will be provided. The role of expert forensic and legal linguists will also be examined to show the importance of how language is used in courtrooms. Finally, the lecture will show participants how to use emojis in a way that will avoid potential disputes and criminal acts.

Recommended reading

Docrat, Z and Kaschula, RH. 2024. Approaches to Interpreting Emojis as Evidence in South African Courts: A Forensic Linguistic Perspective, SAJAL 44(2), pp. 71–88. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02572117.2024.2333147

https://mg.co.za/thought-leader/opinion/2025-01-23-meaning-behind-emojis-a-case-for-forensic- linguistics-analysis-in-courts/

https://theconversation.com/forensic-linguists-explore-how-emojis-can-be-used-as-evidence-in- court-133462

TO BOOK: https://www.webtickets.co.za/performance.aspx?itemid=1575437460

Zakeera Docrat is a forensic and legal linguist, author and researcher. She is presently a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of the Western Cape. Zakeera holds a BA, BA Honours (cum laude), LLB, MA (cum laude) and a PhD; and was awarded full academic colours. She is the Chairperson of the Indigenous Languages Action Forum (ILAF). She is the first scholar from outside of Europe to be appointed to the board of the Austrian Association for Legal Linguistics. She is an international advisory board member for the International Journal for the Semiotics of Law. She is the recipient of several awards: Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans (Justice and Law category) and received numerous awards, including most outstanding Master’s Thesis (African Languages Association of Southern Africa); the Women in Science Award – Albertina Sisulu Doctoral Fellowship (Department of Science and Technology), recognising her outstanding academic and research ability; Phenomenal Heroic Woman in Science Award (Sunday World and Department of Science and Innovation); the ALASA emerging researcher award; and the Quote This Woman + Voice of the Year Award for 2022.