An Assessment of Code Mixing in Nigerian Digital Discourse: A Comparative Analysis of WhatsApp and Facebook
- Project Research
- 1-5 Chapters
- Abstract : Available
- Table of Content: Available
- Reference Style:
- Recommended for :
- NGN 5000
Background of the study
Code mixing in Nigerian digital discourse reflects the country’s rich multilingual landscape, with speakers alternating between languages to express identity and manage communication effectively. WhatsApp, with its private and intimate messaging environment, typically exhibits spontaneous and fluid code mixing that mirrors everyday speech. In contrast, Facebook supports more deliberate language choices in its public and semi-public spaces, often leading to strategic language alternation aimed at broader audience engagement (Ibrahim, 2024). This study compares code mixing practices across WhatsApp and Facebook, analyzing how contextual factors such as audience, purpose, and platform affordances influence language choice. Nigerian users frequently blend Standard English with indigenous languages and pidgin, resulting in hybrid forms that serve both communicative and identity functions. The research examines the frequency, structure, and sociolinguistic functions of code mixing in these environments, contributing to our understanding of multilingual practices in digital media and the role of code mixing in shaping contemporary Nigerian identity (Okeke, 2023).
Statement of the problem
Although code mixing is pervasive in Nigerian online communication, few studies have compared its practice across different digital platforms. Existing research often focuses on single platforms or offline contexts, thereby neglecting the impact of platform-specific factors on language alternation. This gap limits our understanding of how WhatsApp and Facebook uniquely influence code mixing strategies and their implications for identity and communication. The study aims to address this deficiency by providing a comparative analysis of code mixing patterns on WhatsApp and Facebook, thereby elucidating the role of digital environments in multilingual practices (Chukwu, 2024).
Objectives of the study
- To identify and compare code mixing patterns on WhatsApp and Facebook.
- To explore the social functions and motivations behind language alternation.
- To assess the impact of code mixing on digital identity in Nigerian online discourse.
Research questions
- What are the predominant code mixing patterns on WhatsApp versus Facebook?
- How do contextual factors shape these practices?
- What implications do these practices have for digital identity?
Significance of the study
This study is significant because it provides a comparative analysis of code mixing in Nigerian digital discourse across WhatsApp and Facebook. The insights gained will contribute to the fields of sociolinguistics and digital communication by clarifying how platform-specific contexts influence multilingual practices and cultural identity formation (Ibrahim, 2024).
Scope and limitations of the study
The study focuses on text-based interactions on WhatsApp and Facebook among Nigerian users and excludes other digital platforms and offline communication.
Definitions of terms
- Code Mixing: The alternation between two or more languages in a single communicative act.
- Digital Discourse: Communication practices within online environments.
- WhatsApp/Facebook Communication: The textual exchanges on these respective platforms.
Related Project Materials
An appraisal of the influence of online religious communities on moral values in Aba North Local Government, Abia State
Background of the Study
Online religious communities are increasingly influential in shaping moral values...
An Analysis of Cash Flow Management Practices in Nigerian Restaurants: Evidence from Lagos Island
Background of the Study
Cash flow management is a critical component of business operations, especially in the restaurant industry, where...
BROKEN HOMES AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENT’S ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS
ABSTRACT
The project examines broken home and its effects on academic performance in some selected seco...
The Effect of Digital Mobility Platforms on Transportation Efficiency in Nigeria
Background of the Study
Digital mobility platforms—such as ride-hailing applications, e-scooter ser...
An examination of cross-linguistic influence on bilingual syntactic development in Hausa and English
Background of the Study
Bilingual individuals often experience cross‐linguistic influence, where the syntactic structures...
An assessment of town hall meetings in fostering community participation in Ikorodu Local Government Area, Lagos State.
Background of the study
Town hall meetings have emerged as an important tool for promoting participatory governance in Iko...
A Study of the Role of Geriatric Nursing in Managing Parkinson’s Disease in Kaduna State
Background of the Study
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder t...
An Appraisal of the Economic Implications of Public Procurement Practices in Nigeria
Background of the Study
Public procurement practices are critical to national development, as they determi...
FUNDING OF NIGERIAN MEDICAL LIBRARIES (A Case Study Of Federal Medical Centre (Fmc) Library, Owerri)
ABSTRACT
The study examined the funding of Nigerian medical libraries using Federal Medical Centre (Fmc...
The impact of women’s economic participation on family stability in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State.
Background of the Study
Women’s economic participation has increasingly been recognized as a key factor in promoting...
