An Evaluation of Online Pragmatic Strategies in Nigerian Social Media: A Case Study of WhatsApp and Facebook
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Background of the study
Pragmatic strategies are integral to effective communication in Nigerian social media, where users employ various linguistic devices to convey tone, manage conversation, and express identity. On WhatsApp, messages are typically informal and laden with contextual cues, including emojis, abbreviations, and colloquial markers. In contrast, Facebook posts and comments often involve more elaborate pragmatic devices, such as humor, irony, and rhetorical questions, to engage a broader audience (Ibrahim, 2024). This study evaluates the pragmatic strategies employed by Nigerian users on both platforms, exploring how context and medium influence the choice of language. The research documents the ways in which users negotiate meaning, manage interpersonal relationships, and navigate social hierarchies through pragmatic markers. By comparing WhatsApp and Facebook, the study highlights the adaptive nature of online communication and the role of pragmatic strategies in fostering cohesive digital communities (Okeke, 2023). It further investigates how cultural nuances and platform-specific constraints shape pragmatic behavior, providing insights into digital sociolinguistic practices in Nigeria.
Statement of the problem
Although pragmatic strategies are crucial in Nigerian digital communication, there is limited comparative research on how these strategies differ between platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Existing studies often treat digital communication as homogenous, ignoring the distinct pragmatic features associated with private versus public contexts (Chukwu, 2024). This gap limits our understanding of the effectiveness of various pragmatic devices in online discourse. The study seeks to fill this gap by systematically evaluating and comparing pragmatic strategies across these platforms, elucidating their role in digital interaction (Afolabi, 2023).
Objectives of the study
- To identify pragmatic strategies used in Nigerian WhatsApp and Facebook communications.
- To compare the effectiveness of these strategies across platforms.
- To assess the influence of cultural and contextual factors on pragmatic choices.
Research questions
- What pragmatic markers are most commonly used on WhatsApp and Facebook?
- How do pragmatic strategies differ between private and public digital interactions?
- What factors shape the selection of pragmatic devices in Nigerian social media?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it provides a comparative analysis of pragmatic strategies in Nigerian social media, deepening our understanding of how language is used to negotiate meaning and identity online. The insights will inform both academic research and practical communication strategies (Ibrahim, 2024).
Scope and limitations of the study
The study is limited to analyzing pragmatic strategies in Nigerian digital discourse on WhatsApp and Facebook, focusing exclusively on textual communication.
Definitions of terms
- Pragmatic Strategy: The use of language to manage social interactions and convey meaning.
- WhatsApp Communication: Private, real-time messaging on WhatsApp.
- Facebook Communication: Public and semi-public interactions on Facebook.
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