A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF FACEBOOK NAMES OF BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
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Background of the Study
Social media has transformed the landscape of communication, creating new avenues for personal expression and interaction. Facebook, one of the most popular social media platforms globally, allows users to present themselves through profiles that include personal names, photographs, and other identifying information. The names that users choose to display on Facebook are particularly significant as they serve as an initial identifier and often reflect personal, social, and cultural identities (Bouvier, 2020).
In the context of Benue State University, Nigeria, Facebook names can be a rich source of data for understanding how students navigate their social identities and cultural affiliations in an online environment. This study aims to explore the pragmatic aspects of these Facebook names, focusing on how they are used to convey identity, social status, and group affiliations.
Pragmatics is a branch of linguistics concerned with the ways in which context contributes to meaning (Levinson, 2017). It considers the intentions of the speaker, the context of the communication, and the interpretation by the listener. A pragmatic analysis of Facebook names involves examining how these names function in the communication process, what they reveal about the users' intentions, and how they are interpreted by others in the online community (Mey, 2016).
Previous studies have shown that social media names can carry a wealth of information about the user's background, personality, and social affiliations (Deumert, 2014). For instance, users might choose names that reflect their ethnic heritage, religious beliefs, or personal interests. In multicultural and multilingual societies like Nigeria, these choices are particularly meaningful, as they can reflect complex identity negotiations and social dynamics (Adegbija, 2016).
Benue State University, located in the heart of Nigeria, is a melting pot of diverse ethnic groups and cultures. Students at the university come from various backgrounds, each bringing their unique cultural and social experiences. This diversity makes the university an ideal setting for studying the pragmatic aspects of Facebook names. By analyzing these names, we can gain insights into how students navigate their identities in a digital space, how they manage social relationships, and how they project their desired self-image to their peers and the broader online community.
Social identity theory suggests that individuals strive to maintain a positive social identity by emphasizing their membership in desirable groups (Tajfel & Turner, 2019). On Facebook, this can be seen in the way students choose names that reflect their affiliations with certain ethnic, religious, or social groups. For example, a student might use a traditional name to highlight their cultural heritage or adopt a nickname that signals their belonging to a particular social circle.
Moreover, the use of Facebook names can also be influenced by the desire to manage one's online reputation. In the digital age, where social media profiles are often viewed by potential employers, educators, and peers, students may choose names that portray them in a positive light (boyd, 2015). This could involve using formal names to convey professionalism or creative pseudonyms to showcase individuality and creativity.
The study of Facebook names also intersects with issues of privacy and security. Given the public nature of social media, users must balance the desire for self-expression with the need to protect their personal information (Fiesler, 2017). This is particularly pertinent in Nigeria, where concerns about online fraud and identity theft are prevalent (Olowogoke et al., 2020). Understanding the pragmatic choices behind Facebook names can shed light on how students navigate these challenges and what strategies they employ to safeguard their identities online.
In addition to individual identity expression, Facebook names can also serve as markers of social trends and cultural shifts. As societal norms and values evolve, so too do the names that individuals choose to represent themselves. For instance, the rise of global pop culture and the influence of Western media may lead to an increase in the adoption of foreign-sounding names among Nigerian students (Akande & Ogunlana, 2017). Conversely, a resurgence in cultural pride and nationalism might encourage the use of indigenous names and symbols.
This study will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of Facebook name patterns with qualitative interviews to explore the motivations and meanings behind these choices. By doing so, it aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pragmatic functions of Facebook names among Benue State University students.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The selection and use of names on Facebook by Benue State University students represent a complex interplay of identity, culture, and social dynamics. Despite the significance of this phenomenon, there is a paucity of research exploring the pragmatic aspects of social media names in the Nigerian context. Existing studies have largely focused on the broader sociolinguistic features of online communication, with limited attention to the specific ways in which names function pragmatically (Thurlow & Mroczek, 2018).
This gap in the literature is problematic for several reasons. First, names are a fundamental aspect of self-presentation and social interaction. They serve as the primary means by which individuals introduce themselves and are recognized by others in the online environment. Understanding the pragmatic functions of Facebook names can provide valuable insights into how students manage their online identities and navigate social relationships.
Second, the unique cultural and social context of Benue State University, characterized by its diverse student body, offers a rich setting for examining how social media names reflect and reinforce cultural identities and social affiliations. Without a thorough investigation into this area, our understanding of the broader implications of social media usage among Nigerian students remains incomplete.
Finally, the study of Facebook names can contribute to the broader discourse on digital identity and privacy. As social media becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, issues of online reputation management, privacy, and security become more pressing. A pragmatic analysis of Facebook names can shed light on how students balance the need for self-expression with the imperative to protect their personal information in the digital age.
Therefore, this study seeks to address these gaps by conducting a detailed pragmatic analysis of Facebook names used by Benue State University students. By doing so, it aims to contribute to the growing body of literature on social media, identity, and communication in the digital age.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
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To identify the linguistic features of Facebook names used by Benue State University students.
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To explore the pragmatic functions of these Facebook names in terms of identity expression and social interaction.
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To analyze the cultural and social factors influencing the choice of Facebook names among students.
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To examine the strategies students use to manage their online identities and protect their privacy through their choice of Facebook names.
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To investigate the correlation between the use of Facebook names and broader social trends and cultural shifts within the university community.
1.4 Research Questions
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What are the linguistic features of Facebook names used by Benue State University students?
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What pragmatic functions do these Facebook names serve in terms of identity expression and social interaction?
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What cultural and social factors influence the choice of Facebook names among Benue State University students?
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How do students manage their online identities and protect their privacy through their choice of Facebook names?
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How do the Facebook names of Benue State University students reflect broader social trends and cultural shifts?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study holds both practical and theoretical significance. Practically, it offers valuable insights for students, educators, and social media platform developers. By understanding the pragmatic functions of Facebook names, students can make more informed choices about how they present themselves online, balancing self-expression with privacy concerns. Educators can gain a deeper understanding of the social dynamics at play among their students, which can inform their approach to digital literacy education. Social media platform developers can use these insights to enhance user experience by providing tools that support nuanced identity expression and privacy management.
Theoretically, this study contributes to the fields of pragmatics, sociolinguistics, and digital communication. It extends the application of pragmatic theory to the digital realm, demonstrating how traditional linguistic concepts can be applied to new media contexts. It also enriches the sociolinguistic literature by providing empirical data on the use of names in a multicultural and multilingual society. Furthermore, it adds to the growing body of research on digital identity, offering a nuanced perspective on how individuals navigate their identities in an increasingly connected world.
1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The scope of this study is limited to Facebook names used by students of Benue State University, Nigeria. The focus will be on undergraduate students, as they constitute the majority of the university's population and are likely to be active users of social media. The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of Facebook name patterns with qualitative interviews to explore the motivations and meanings behind these choices.
Delimitations of the study include the exclusion of other social media platforms, as the unique features of Facebook make it a suitable focus for this research. Additionally, the study will not consider the real-life names of students unless they are directly used as their Facebook names. This delimitation ensures that the analysis remains focused on the pragmatic aspects of names as used in the specific context of social media.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Pragmatics: A branch of linguistics that studies how context influences the interpretation of meaning in communication.
Facebook Names: The names that users choose to display on their Facebook profiles, which can include real names, pseudonyms, nicknames, or other identifiers.
Digital Identity: The online persona that individuals create and manage through their activities on social media and other digital platforms.
Multiculturalism: The coexistence of diverse cultural groups within a society, often characterized by the presence of multiple languages, traditions, and social practices.
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