Background of the Study
Digital storytelling has become a powerful medium for cultural expression in Nigeria, particularly on visual platforms such as Instagram. Nigerian digital narratives on Instagram frequently exhibit pragmatic fluidity—the ability to shift conversational styles, tone, and register fluidly to suit the digital context. Storytellers often combine text, images, and video to create compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences (Umeh, 2023). This study appraises the pragmatic strategies employed in Instagram narratives, exploring how users negotiate meaning, humor, and emotion while blending formal and informal language. The research examines the use of code-switching, slang, and visual rhetoric to determine how these elements contribute to the fluidity of digital discourse. By analyzing a corpus of Instagram stories and posts, the study identifies recurring pragmatic patterns that enhance narrative engagement and cultural connectivity. It also considers how audience interaction—through likes, comments, and shares—influences the evolution of digital storytelling practices (Adebayo, 2024; Ibrahim, 2025). Ultimately, the study provides insights into how pragmatic fluidity drives innovation in Nigerian digital narratives.
Statement of the Problem
Although digital storytelling is flourishing on Instagram, there is limited research on the pragmatic fluidity that characterizes these narratives. The dynamic interplay of language, visual elements, and digital interaction creates complex pragmatic challenges that remain underexplored (Umeh, 2023). Inconsistent use of language registers and abrupt shifts in tone may affect narrative coherence and audience engagement. This lack of systematic analysis hinders efforts to optimize digital storytelling strategies, potentially impacting cultural representation and communication effectiveness (Adebayo, 2024). This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the pragmatic devices used in Instagram narratives, thereby providing recommendations for enhancing digital storytelling in Nigeria (Ibrahim, 2025).
Objectives of the Study:
To identify key pragmatic strategies in Nigerian Instagram narratives.
To analyze how these strategies facilitate narrative fluidity and audience engagement.
To propose improvements for digital storytelling practices.
Research Questions:
What pragmatic devices are most prevalent in Instagram storytelling?
How do these devices enhance narrative coherence?
What recommendations can improve the effectiveness of digital narratives?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it explores the dynamic nature of digital storytelling in Nigeria, offering insights into pragmatic fluidity in online narratives. The findings will benefit content creators, communication scholars, and digital media strategists by informing techniques that enhance narrative impact and cultural expression (Ibrahim, 2025).
Scope and Limitations of the Study:
The study focuses on Instagram narratives produced by Nigerian content creators and does not extend to other digital platforms.
Definitions of Terms:
Pragmatic Fluidity: The flexible use of language to adapt to different communicative contexts.
Digital Storytelling: The practice of creating and sharing narratives using digital media.
Code-Switching: Alternating between languages or registers within a discourse.
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