The Impact of Online Discourse on Nigerian Pragmatic Competence: A Case Study of Twitter Debates in Abuja
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Background of the Study
Online discourse, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter, has transformed the way Nigerians communicate, debate, and negotiate meanings. In Abuja, the hub of political and social discourse, Twitter debates have become a focal point for public engagement and expression. This study examines the impact of online discourse on Nigerian pragmatic competence by analyzing how Twitter users employ context, politeness strategies, and implicit meanings in debates. The fast-paced, text-based nature of Twitter forces users to condense complex arguments into succinct messages, often leading to innovative pragmatic strategies (Ike, 2023). These strategies include the use of irony, sarcasm, and culturally embedded expressions to convey nuanced viewpoints. However, the brevity of tweets may also lead to oversimplification and misinterpretation, posing challenges for effective communication (Chukwu, 2024). This research explores how online interactions shape users’ ability to interpret context, negotiate meaning, and display pragmatic competence in a digital environment. By analyzing a corpus of tweets from debates held in Abuja, the study aims to uncover patterns in language use that reflect broader social and cultural dynamics. It also considers the role of digital literacy and evolving communication norms in fostering pragmatic skills among Nigerian netizens (Akinola, 2025).
Statement of the Problem
Despite the widespread use of Twitter as a platform for public debate in Abuja, there is limited understanding of how online discourse influences Nigerian pragmatic competence. The constraints of character limits and rapid communication may result in ambiguous expressions and reduced contextual clarity, hindering the effective negotiation of meaning (Ike, 2023). Additionally, users often rely on culturally specific cues and implicit meanings that may not translate well in a digital format, leading to potential misinterpretations (Chukwu, 2024). This gap in understanding compromises the ability of participants to engage in meaningful dialogue and affects overall communication efficacy. The study aims to address these issues by investigating the pragmatic strategies employed in Twitter debates and their implications for digital communication competence.
Objectives of the Study:
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To analyze the pragmatic features present in Twitter debates from Abuja.
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To assess the impact of online discourse on the pragmatic competence of Nigerian users.
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To propose recommendations for enhancing effective communication in digital platforms.
Research Questions:
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What pragmatic strategies are most commonly used in Twitter debates in Abuja?
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How do character limitations and digital norms affect the expression of pragmatic competence?
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What measures can improve clarity and understanding in online discourse?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it examines how online discourse shapes pragmatic competence in Nigerian digital communication. By focusing on Twitter debates in Abuja, the research provides insights into the challenges and innovations in expressing and interpreting implicit meanings in a constrained medium. The findings will inform strategies to improve digital literacy and effective communication online, contributing to broader discussions on the evolution of language in the digital age. This work is particularly relevant for educators, policymakers, and communication professionals seeking to enhance pragmatic skills in digital platforms (Akinola, 2025).
Scope and Limitations of the Study:
The study is limited to analyzing Twitter debates in Abuja, focusing on the pragmatic aspects of online discourse. It does not consider other social media platforms or offline communication contexts. Data are drawn from selected Twitter conversations, which may not fully represent the diversity of online interactions in Nigeria.
Definitions of Terms:
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Online Discourse: Communication that takes place over digital platforms such as social media.
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Pragmatic Competence: The ability to use language effectively in context, including understanding implicit meanings and cultural cues.
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Twitter Debates: Public discussions on Twitter that involve exchange of opinions and arguments within the platform’s character limits.
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