Background of the Study
Digital literacy has surged in Nigeria with increased access to technology and online education. This shift is influencing phonetic patterns as individuals exposed to digital media often adopt pronunciation features from online content. Offline speech, typically shaped by traditional schooling and local dialects, contrasts with the rapid, sometimes clipped or exaggerated, speech encountered in digital platforms (Ijeoma, 2023). This study compares phonetic characteristics—such as vowel clarity, intonation, and articulation—in online versus offline contexts to determine how digital literacy impacts Nigerian phonetics. Data will be collected via recordings from classroom settings and digital voice messages, with acoustic analysis used to assess differences. The research explores whether increased digital engagement fosters convergence towards standardized pronunciation or promotes novel phonetic traits that reflect hybrid communication practices (Adeleke, 2024). Such findings will have implications for language education and media production, illuminating how technological exposure reshapes everyday speech (Chinwe, 2025).
Statement of the Problem
Although digital literacy is rapidly increasing, its effects on phonetic patterns in Nigeria remain underexplored. Existing research tends to focus on literacy outcomes rather than on how digital engagement modifies speech production. This gap hinders our understanding of whether online speech patterns undermine traditional pronunciation or create new, hybrid forms. Without empirical comparisons between online and offline speech, educators and communicators are left without guidelines for addressing potential phonetic changes in digital natives (Ijeoma, 2023).
Objectives of the Study
Research Questions
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it bridges digital literacy and phonetic research, offering insights into how online exposure influences Nigerian speech patterns. The results will guide educators and media professionals in adapting communication strategies to accommodate evolving phonetic trends (Ijeoma, 2023; Chinwe, 2025).
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study is limited to comparing phonetic features in selected offline and online speech samples.
Definitions of Terms
Background of the Study
Political instability significantly affects the delivery of social services in many developing d...
Background of the Study
Effective financial management is critical to the efficiency of hospitals, ensuring optimal allocation of resourc...
Background of the Study
Sports festivals have evolved into dynamic platforms that extend beyond physical competition to foster community...
ABSTRACT
This research is on the challenges of cost benefit analysis in a computerized Accounting System. The purpose of this study is to...
ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to the impact of micro financing on the performance of women e...
Background of the Study
Whistleblowing plays a critical role in detecting and preventing fraudulent activities in the ba...
Background of the Study
Speech and language disorders are among the most common developmental issues affecting children...
Background of the Study
Transnational public opinion, as shaped by global social media trends, has increasingly become a fo...
ABSTRACT
This study is an attempt to investigate the effect of teacher-student ratio on student’s...
Abstract: THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION SECURITY POLICIES ON BUSINESS OPERATIONS
This stud...