When Malak al Hadhrami, a mother and primary school teacher, noticed that her 14-year-old son replied to her messages using only WhatsApp sticker memes, she initially found it amusing. His responses were expressive and often humorous.
Over time, however, the habit became frustrating. The stickers felt impersonal, even dismissive, leaving her wondering whether meaningful communication was being replaced by quick visual reactions.
Malak’s experience reflects a wider shift in digital communication. Stickers, once playful additions to text messages, are increasingly functioning as a language of their own.
Across Oman and beyond, WhatsApp conversations are now filled with visual cues that can express laughter, frustration, empathy, or sarcasm—often without a single typed word.
According to Dr Najma al Zidjaly, Associate Professor of Sociolinguistics and Intercultural Communication at Sultan Qaboos University, stickers have fundamentally reshaped how people communicate online. “They replace sentences,” she explains. “Instead of typing a long explanation, one sticker can convey the same meaning quickly and effectively.”
Yet, stickers are not always welcomed as substitutes for text. “When someone communicates only through stickers, it can be frustrating, especially in serious conversations,” Malak says. Dr Najma agrees, noting that stickers depend heavily on shared cultural understanding. Without that context, messages can appear vague, dismissive, or even rude.
Adding a psychological dimension, Fatma al Amri, a member of the Omani Socialists Association, explains that stickers meet emotional needs such as belonging, humour and emotional release. “A single sticker can compress complex feelings and signal group identity,” she says.
Dr Najma describes stickers as multimodal communication tools, combining visual and linguistic elements. “Images are a form of language,” she notes. “Stickers communicate emotion, tone and intention in ways similar to words.”
In Oman, stickers have also taken on social significance. During the pandemic, they were used to spread public awareness messages and encourage safety practices. “They carried serious meaning and civic responsibility,” Dr Najma explains.
So, are stickers replacing written language? Not entirely. Instead, they are reshaping how people communicate informally. “This is an evolution of visual language,” Dr Najma says. “Young people still understand the difference between casual digital communication and formal writing.”
For now, stickers remain largely informal tools that enhance expression and connection. The real challenge lies in encouraging balanced communication — knowing when a sticker is enough and when words are necessary. Stickers may express emotion instantly, but, as Fatma points out, words still give meaning depth and clarity.
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