An Appraisal of Digital CodeSwitching in Nigerian Online Communities: A Comparative Study of Facebook and WhatsApp

An Appraisal of Digital CodeSwitching in Nigerian Online Communities: A Comparative Study of Facebook and WhatsApp

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Background of the study
Digital codeswitching is a prevalent communicative strategy in Nigerian online communities, enabling speakers to navigate multilingual environments effectively. On platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, users alternate between English, indigenous languages, and pidgin to convey nuances, express identity, and tailor messages to specific audiences (Ibrahim, 2024). While Facebook often supports more formal, public discourse, WhatsApp provides a private, conversational space that encourages spontaneous and informal codeswitching. This comparative study examines how the nature of each platform influences the frequency, style, and function of codeswitching in Nigerian digital communication, reflecting broader trends in sociolinguistic adaptation in the digital age (Okeke, 2023).

Statement of the problem
Despite the widespread use of codeswitching in online communication, there is limited comparative research addressing how different digital platforms affect its practice. Existing studies have typically focused on a single medium or offline contexts, leaving a gap in understanding platform-specific codeswitching strategies. This study aims to fill that gap by comparing Facebook and WhatsApp, exploring the distinct linguistic features and social functions of codeswitching across these environments (Chukwu, 2024).

Objectives of the study

1. To identify patterns of codeswitching on Facebook and WhatsApp.
2. To compare the functions and stylistic variations of codeswitching across these platforms.
3. To assess the impact of codeswitching on digital identity and community dynamics.

Research questions

1. What are the predominant codeswitching patterns on Facebook versus WhatsApp?
2. How do the communicative contexts of each platform influence language alternation?
3. What implications does codeswitching have for social identity in Nigerian online communities?

Significance of the study
This study is significant as it provides a comparative perspective on digital multilingual practices, enhancing our understanding of how platform-specific features shape language use in Nigerian online discourse (Ibrahim, 2024).

Scope and limitations of the study
The study is limited to textual interactions on Facebook and WhatsApp among Nigerian users and does not extend to other social media platforms or offline interactions.

Definitions of terms

• CodeSwitching: The practice of alternating between two or more languages within a single communicative act.
• Facebook Communication: Public or semi-public interactions on Facebook.
• WhatsApp Communication: Private messaging exchanges on the WhatsApp platform.

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