In Indonesia, laughter is often expressed through creative onomatopoeia. The classic "wkwkwk" is a staple, evoking the sound of laughter, while "awokwok" offers a playful twist. Recently, "ang ang ang" has emerged as a new way to convey amusement, mimicking laughter with a distinct sound that resonates with the audience. This diversity in laughter styles showcases the vibrancy of Indonesian digital communication. Other Southeast Asian countries also have their own unique ways of expressing laughter online:
- Thailand: The number "55555" is commonly used, as the Thai word for "five" (ห้า, pronounced "ha") sounds like laughter.
- Vietnam: Laughter is typically expressed through variations like "haha," "hehe," and "hihi," similar to English.
- Philippines: Filipinos often use "hahaha," "hehehehe," and even "HAHAHAHA" to express different intensities of laughter.
- Malaysia: Much like their neighbors, Malaysians use "haha," "hehe," and "hihi" to convey amusement.
In addition to text-based expressions, emojis play a significant role in conveying laughter and humor online. Commonly used emojis such as 😂, 🤣, and 😆 enhance the written word, adding an emotional layer to digital conversations.