I enjoy writing and reading, but I don't really consider myself much of an emoji person. However, I think that may be about to change. Who am I to argue or critique the Oxford Dictionaries' opinion on the English Language. If when I write my true goal is to communicate, and not impress with flowery language (which serves it's own purpose) than an emoji offers me a way to that in relevant fashion.
The article also mentions something we have talked about in class. On the short list for "Word of the Year" is also the 3rd person singular use of the word "they." In class I supported and defended the idea of this construction of our language. In an argument with one of my friends one time I told him that I believe that the English Language is one that is extremely conducive to writing. To support my argument was the complexity of English, and how the rules can be manipulated and played with. When I sent this link to him, he sent back a response that blew my mind: "What makes you think that an emoji is even English." WOW. Am I that one track minded. I am ready to start using emoji's and I am ready to start thinking about language in more fluid terms. What first kind of offended my up-turned-nose-mindset has been wrecked.