An Appraisal of Digital Code Mixing in Nigerian Online Communication: A Comparative Study of WhatsApp Group Chats
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Background of the study
Digital code mixing, the blending of multiple languages in communication, is a prevalent feature in Nigerian online interactions. WhatsApp group chats, in particular, provide a fertile environment for code mixing as users engage in informal, spontaneous conversations that reflect Nigeria’s rich linguistic diversity (Emeka, 2023). This study undertakes a comparative analysis of code mixing practices within WhatsApp group chats to explore how digital communication fosters the integration of indigenous languages with English. Users often alternate between languages to express cultural identity, convey nuanced meanings, and enhance social bonding (Chinwe, 2024). The practice of code mixing in digital spaces not only challenges the prescriptive norms of language but also leads to innovative linguistic forms that are highly context dependent. By examining patterns of code mixing, this research aims to identify the sociolinguistic factors that drive language alternation and the resulting implications for language identity and communication efficiency. This analysis contributes to a better understanding of the interplay between digital media and linguistic practices in multilingual societies, thereby offering insights into language evolution in the digital era (Ibrahim, 2025).
Statement of the problem
Despite the widespread practice of digital code mixing in Nigerian WhatsApp group chats, there is limited empirical research focused on the specific linguistic dynamics of this phenomenon. Existing studies often address code mixing in broader terms, neglecting the detailed analysis of language alternation within the intimate and fast paced environment of group chats (Uche, 2023). This gap limits our understanding of the factors that promote code mixing, such as social identity, cultural context, and communicative efficiency. Moreover, the lack of comparative analysis with other digital platforms impedes the development of robust theoretical models for digital code mixing. This study seeks to fill these gaps by providing an in depth examination of WhatsApp group chats, thereby offering a clearer picture of the underlying sociolinguistic processes (Obi, 2024).
Objectives of the study
1. To analyze the patterns of digital code mixing in Nigerian WhatsApp group chats.
2. To identify the sociolinguistic factors driving language alternation.
3. To compare these practices with existing theories of code mixing.
Research questions
1. What are the common code mixing patterns in Nigerian WhatsApp group chats?
2. What sociolinguistic factors influence these practices?
3. How do these patterns compare with established models of code mixing?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it provides an in depth appraisal of digital code mixing in Nigerian WhatsApp group chats. By examining the linguistic dynamics of language alternation, the research offers valuable insights into how digital communication shapes language practices in multilingual contexts. The findings will contribute to sociolinguistic theory and inform language policy and education, particularly in culturally diverse settings (Afolabi, 2023; Nwankwo, 2024).
Scope and limitations of the study
The study is limited to analyzing code mixing practices in Nigerian WhatsApp group chats, excluding other digital communication platforms and offline interactions.
Definitions of terms
• Code Mixing: The practice of alternating between two or more languages within a single conversation.
• Digital Communication: Information exchange via electronic media.
• WhatsApp Group Chats: Online conversation threads involving multiple participants on the WhatsApp platform.
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