An appraisal of the influence of digital media on morpheme usage in Nigerian Pidgin
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Background of the study
Digital media has revolutionized language use in Nigeria, with Nigerian Pidgin evolving rapidly under its influence. This study examines how online platforms—social networks, messaging apps, and digital broadcasts—affect morpheme usage in Nigerian Pidgin. Historically, Nigerian Pidgin has been a flexible medium for creative expression, characterized by vibrant word‐formation processes such as affixation, reduplication, and compounding. Recent observations suggest that exposure to digital media introduces novel morphemes while simultaneously simplifying or altering traditional ones (Okoro, 2023). As digital communication becomes pervasive, younger speakers often adopt innovative forms that blend indigenous elements with global digital trends (Chima, 2024). The study explores how these changes affect semantic transparency and grammatical consistency. Data from social media posts, online chats, and digital advertisements are analyzed alongside interviews with frequent digital users. This investigation highlights the dynamic interplay between traditional morpheme usage and new digital forms, revealing trends that may eventually reshape the lexicon of Nigerian Pidgin. Ultimately, the research aims to provide empirical insights into the impact of digital media on language evolution and to inform future language planning and educational strategies that accommodate digital influences while preserving linguistic heritage (Ibrahim, 2025).
Statement of the problem
Although digital media is widely recognized as a catalyst for linguistic innovation, its specific impact on morpheme usage in Nigerian Pidgin remains underexplored. Preliminary data suggest shifts in traditional affixation and reduplication patterns, yet systematic documentation is lacking (Okoro, 2023). This gap hinders our ability to understand whether these changes are transient or indicative of lasting morphological transformation. Without detailed empirical evidence, language planners and educators cannot develop strategies to balance innovative practices with the preservation of linguistic integrity (Chima, 2024).
Objectives of the study:
To document changes in morpheme usage in digital Nigerian Pidgin.
To analyze the influence of digital media on traditional morphological patterns.
To evaluate the implications for language planning and pedagogy.
Research questions:
What digital-induced changes are evident in morpheme usage?
How do digital media platforms affect affixation and reduplication?
What are the long-term implications for Nigerian Pidgin morphology?
Research Hypotheses:
Digital media significantly alters traditional morpheme usage.
Younger speakers adopt innovative morphological forms online.
Digital influence will have a lasting impact on the language’s morphology.
Significance of the study (100 words):
This study is significant because it illuminates how digital media reshapes morpheme usage in Nigerian Pidgin. The findings will aid educators, language planners, and media professionals in developing strategies that preserve traditional linguistic elements while embracing digital innovation. Insights from this research will contribute to broader theoretical discussions on language evolution in the digital era and support policy development aimed at sustaining Nigeria’s linguistic heritage (Okoro, 2023; Ibrahim, 2025).
Scope and limitations of the study:
The study is limited to analyzing morpheme usage in digital texts and interactions in Nigerian Pidgin. It does not extend to other linguistic domains or offline communication.
Definitions of terms:
Digital Media: Electronic platforms for communication such as social networks and messaging apps.
Morpheme: The smallest meaning-bearing unit of language.
Nigerian Pidgin: A creole language widely used in Nigeria with a mixed linguistic heritage.
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