An Investigation of Social Media Discourse on Nigerian Morphology: A Comparative Study of Instagram and TikTok
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- NGN 5000
Background of the Study
Morphology, the study of word formation and structure, is undergoing rapid transformation in digital environments. Nigerian social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok provide distinct contexts for morphological innovation. On Instagram, users craft captions that often incorporate creative abbreviations, neologisms, and blended lexical forms to complement visual content. In contrast, TikTok’s short video format encourages spontaneous linguistic expressions that include on-the-fly word modifications and playful language use (Adeniyi, 2023). This study investigates the morphological features present in Nigerian online discourse by comparing language use on Instagram and TikTok. It examines how platform-specific affordances, such as character limits, visual emphasis, and interactive dynamics, drive morphological changes. The research also explores the socio-cultural influences that lead to the creation of new word forms and the redefinition of existing ones, thereby contributing to a dynamic and evolving digital lexicon (Okoro, 2024).
Statement of the Problem
While morphological innovation in digital media is evident, there is limited comparative research on how different platforms influence word formation in Nigerian online discourse. Existing studies often focus on a single platform, failing to capture the diversity of morphological practices across social media. This gap restricts our understanding of how technological constraints and cultural contexts drive morphological change. The current study addresses this deficiency by comparing morphological patterns on Instagram and TikTok, providing empirical evidence of digital word formation processes and their socio-cultural underpinnings (Chukwu, 2023).
Objectives of the Study:
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To compare morphological innovations on Instagram and TikTok.
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To identify platform-specific factors that influence word formation.
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To assess the socio-cultural drivers of digital morphological change.
Research Questions:
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What new word forms are emerging on Instagram and TikTok?
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How do platform features affect morphological practices?
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What cultural factors contribute to these innovations?
Significance of the Study
This study advances our understanding of digital morphology by comparing word formation on two leading Nigerian social media platforms. Its findings provide valuable insights for linguists and digital media scholars into the mechanisms of language innovation in online contexts (Adeniyi, 2023).
Scope and Limitations of the Study:
Limited to the topic only.
Definitions of Terms:
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Morphology: The study of word formation and structure.
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Instagram: A visual-centric social media platform.
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TikTok: A short-video based social media platform.
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