An Assessment of WhatsApp Communication on Nigerian Semantic Shifts: A Case Study of Group Chats Among University Students
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Background of the study
WhatsApp has become an indispensable communication tool among university students in Nigeria, serving as a platform for both academic collaboration and casual conversation. In recent years, the use of group chats on WhatsApp has precipitated observable semantic shifts in everyday language. These shifts involve changes in word meaning, contextual usage, and the creation of novel expressions that resonate with the digital age (Adamu, 2023). University students, who are often at the forefront of digital communication, utilize group chats to negotiate meaning and express identity through innovative semantic practices (Fatima, 2024). The informal setting of WhatsApp groups encourages the adoption of slang, acronyms, and code-switching, thereby accelerating semantic evolution. Scholars argue that these changes are not random but reflect broader sociocultural dynamics that influence language usage in academic and social contexts (Umeh, 2023). The study seeks to explore how the semantic landscape of Nigerian university students is being reshaped by WhatsApp communication, particularly in group settings where collective interaction fosters linguistic creativity. This research will contribute to the understanding of semantic change in digital communication and provide insights into the interplay between technology and language meaning (Okafor, 2025).
Statement of the problem
Despite the ubiquity of WhatsApp communication among Nigerian university students, there is limited research examining its impact on semantic shifts within this demographic. Existing studies on digital communication often focus on general language change without addressing the specific semantic innovations emerging in WhatsApp group chats (Ikechukwu, 2023). This gap leaves educators and linguists without a clear understanding of how new meanings and expressions are developed in informal digital settings. Moreover, the rapid evolution of digital language challenges traditional frameworks used to analyze semantic change, complicating efforts to document and interpret these shifts (Chukwu, 2024). Therefore, a focused study is necessary to investigate the nature, causes, and implications of semantic shifts within WhatsApp group chats among university students, thereby providing essential insights for both theory and practice.
Objectives of the study
1. To assess the impact of WhatsApp group chats on semantic shifts among Nigerian university students.
2. To identify key semantic innovations emerging from digital group interactions.
3. To offer recommendations for incorporating digital semantic trends into academic discourse.
Research questions
1. How do WhatsApp group chats contribute to semantic shifts in Nigerian student communication?
2. What are the predominant semantic changes observed in these digital interactions?
3. How can the findings inform linguistic theory and educational practices?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it examines the role of WhatsApp group chats in driving semantic shifts among Nigerian university students. By focusing on digital communication, the research elucidates how new meanings and expressions emerge in informal academic settings. The findings will contribute to sociolinguistic theory and support educators in adapting teaching methodologies to contemporary language practices. Moreover, the study provides insights into the broader impact of technology on language evolution, encouraging further research in digital semantics. It informs policy and academic discourse by highlighting innovative trends in communication (Ibeh, 2023; Suleiman, 2024). This research expands theoretical knowledge and applications.
Scope and limitations of the study
The study is limited to analyzing WhatsApp group chats among Nigerian university students and their impact on semantic shifts. It focuses solely on digital communication within this specific demographic and excludes other platforms and contexts.
Definitions of terms
• WhatsApp Communication: Exchange of messages through the WhatsApp application.
• Semantic Shifts: Changes in the meaning or interpretation of words over time.
• Group Chats: Digital conversation threads involving multiple participants simultaneously.
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