An Investigation of Semantic Networks in Nigerian Digital Communication: A Study of Hashtag Semantics
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Background of the study
Digital communication in Nigeria has witnessed an explosion of new linguistic phenomena, with hashtags emerging as key components of online discourse. Hashtags serve as semantic nodes that connect ideas, trends, and social movements across digital platforms. This study investigates the semantic networks constructed through hashtags in Nigerian digital communication, analyzing how meaning is negotiated and transformed in online contexts. By examining a corpus of tweets, Instagram posts, and Facebook entries, the research will map out the interconnections among hashtags and the semantic fields they represent. Particular attention will be paid to how cultural, political, and social issues are framed through hashtag use. This inquiry also considers the influence of language mixing and code-switching in the creation of hybrid semantic networks, reflecting Nigeria’s multilingual landscape (Ibrahim, 2023; Nwachukwu, 2024). The study aims to reveal patterns of meaning evolution and dissemination in digital media, contributing to broader understandings of sociolinguistic change in the digital era.
Statement of the problem
Despite the ubiquity of hashtags in Nigerian digital communication, there is limited research on the semantic networks they generate. The dynamic nature of hashtag use, influenced by rapid social and political changes, results in shifting meanings that are not yet fully understood. This research gap hampers our ability to analyze how digital language shapes public discourse and identity formation (Ibrahim, 2023).
Objectives of the study:
1. To map semantic networks formed by hashtags.
2. To analyze the evolution of meaning in digital discourse.
3. To assess the cultural impact of hashtag semantics.
Research questions:
1. How are semantic networks constructed through hashtags?
2. What patterns of meaning evolution can be observed?
3. How do these networks influence public discourse?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it deciphers the semantic networks in Nigerian digital communication, offering insights into the evolving nature of online language and its cultural implications. The findings will inform digital communication strategies and sociolinguistic theories, contributing to effective media literacy and policy-making (Nwachukwu, 2024).
Scope and limitations of the study:
The study is confined to hashtag semantics in Nigerian digital communication and does not include offline discourse.
Definitions of terms:
1. Semantic Networks: Interconnected representations of meaning.
2. Hashtags: Metadata tags used on social media to index topics.
3. Digital Communication: Exchange of information via electronic platforms.
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