The New Language of Modern Communication

The power of visual storytelling is spreading rapidly across cultures, generations and borders

We are all now familiar with memes, which have become firmly established in our language. We see them, come across them and use them. Whether animated (GIFs) or static, memes have become an integral part of our lives. They have entered our global consciousness and vocabulary. But why? Why do we enjoy using them so much? Is there a deeper meaning behind our attachment to them? Let's explore this topic together.

A meme is an idea, behaviour or style that spreads rapidly from person to person within a culture.

Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash

There’s no need to go into great detail: the concept of the ‘meme’, which we will discuss here, has its roots in the digital realm and has grown alongside the internet, even though it wasn’t originally referred to as such. The stickers and posters seen all over the city are well-known physical examples of this phenomenon. They simply reflect what people wish to convey. However, the process of transforming ideas into visual form and sharing them with others has developed much more rapidly in the digital realm thanks to social networks. We can now say that they have become synonymous with communication.

Thanks to their structure, which fuels our sense of humour and simplifies expression, we have all embraced them. These cross-cultural, borderless contents have formed the basis of communication for decades.

Yes, encountering, noticing or internalising them may be a different experience for everyone. Nevertheless, if we think of the internet as a classroom, those who create or consume memes could be seen as its mischievous pupils. But you know how it is with children: They sometimes tell a story without understanding its meaning and expect a reaction. What they say might not be funny, and they may have heard it from someone else. Yet, in that moment, the story belongs solely to them. Then, those who hear it pass it on to others. As it spreads further and further, it becomes something that everyone knows. It even becomes normalised. Memes are exactly like that. We want our creations, which reflect our temperament, to reach others, convey a message, and provoke a response, whether positive or negative.

A meme titled “Distracted Boyfriend”, created via Imgflip

In my view, the most important aspect is its ability to overcome a kind of logical barrier. Imagine there are two people who don't speak the same language. How would they communicate? They would, of course, use gestures and facial expressions with which they are both familiar. Even then, misunderstandings and confusion can arise. However, a more universal solution lies in sounds, signs and drawings that have acquired a global meaning. No matter where in the world we go, for example, we understand the vast majority of road signs. We don't need to know the language or culture to understand them. The meaning is shared.

Memes work in much the same way. A large proportion of them are easy to understand. Over time, however, the meaning or impact of some content may fade. Conversely, an image unearthed from the past can effectively capture the spirit of that era. This demonstrates that memes can be just as timeless.

Depending on their contents, they can facilitate intergenerational communication. Apart from our individual perceptions, they have the capacity to bridge the gap between the new concepts that humanity has produced over time. This can be illustrated by a humorous historical photograph or its caption. The internet's inclusivity is so powerful that its development does not have to be one-sided. In this global network, where almost nothing is lost, the past and the future can converge and coexist.

This is where memes come into the picture. They are one of the main reasons why children today recognise figures who were once widely known. This is because they have the potential to be educational. They provide an engaging way to learn about people, real-life events, scientific knowledge and various concepts and emotions. Users can also create their own memes and benefit from them. This encourages people to be active and creative.

A meme titled “Woman Yelling at a Cat”, created via Imgflip

Memes are flexible and useful because they can be interpreted in many different ways. They are also rich in logical, cultural, historical and educational content. Like idioms and proverbs, they simplify expression and add clarity by encapsulating a person’s feelings and thoughts. This is because these fixed expressions contain layered meanings that people use to convey their intended messages. Due to their adaptable nature, memes can reveal inside jokes amongst friends or demonstrate a shared understanding within groups that hold a particular view. They can even convey global humour. They can also serve as a catalyst for personal storytelling. Indeed, all of this can be achieved through visuals alone, without any text.

Nowadays, we use animated or photographic imagery to express things that are difficult to put into words. Some people have even made this a habit. This can be more effective than emojis, spreading rapidly and either being widely accepted or rejected outright.

Finally, it is worth noting that memes have a free-form structure. The origins of most memes remain unknown unless they are thoroughly researched. This freedom stems from their ability to be reused and adapted in various ways. The diversity they bring to creativity and freedom of expression means that people of all ages and viewpoints can find or create memes that suit them. This, in turn, keeps memes alive and relevant. Everyone knows this, from children in the street to politicians who are always online. Both groups can use them to their own advantage, whether to appear cool or to connect with others.

However, it's important to remember that, as with any innovation, memes can have a positive or negative impact. This depends entirely on how we shape them. Ultimately, we could say that memes are our new language and method of communication in the social media age. They can be created on any topic and in any context. While they can serve as tools for entertainment and education, they can also be used to spread misinformation and propaganda.

If you’d like to learn more on the subject, I’d recommend this video.

A meme titled “Evil Kermit”, created via Imgflip