There is actually an easier way of doing this, one I've found to be more simple and less complicated than you may think it to be. Here is what I do:
First, go into your C-drive, which is where all your computer's programs are located, and find the folder called FeralHeart (if you've installed Mass Markings or Items before you should know where to find this, unless you're on a mac which would mean the location is different).
Then, inside your FeralHeart folder should be two .cfg files, one titled "emotes" and the other "emoteHotkeys". Open the "emoteHotkeys". In the document you'll see that certain numbers from 0 to 9 equal other numbers, 0 to 9 is your hotkey short cuts, the numbers they equal are the emotes (I also found if you copy your emotes into another document and number them you'll be able to see what number they are in the list and set them to a hotkey if you wanted to...I won't explain too much on that XD).
Now once you've set your hotkeys and emotes, such as 0=0 (Normal) and 2=2 (Sleepy), be sure to save the document and open the game. If this worked then your emotes should be set back to their original settings and everything should be fine.
Hope this helps~