The Impact of Viral Hashtags on Nigerian Morphological Patterns: A Case Case of Twitter Neologisms
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Background of the study
Viral hashtags have emerged as potent catalysts for linguistic innovation on social media, especially on Twitter. In Nigeria, these hashtags often encapsulate social movements, cultural phenomena, and political sentiments, fostering rapid morphological changes. As users repurpose and remix hashtags, they create neologisms that alter traditional word structures and formations. This process of morphological innovation is evident in the creative modifications of existing words and the generation of entirely new lexical items that reflect contemporary realities (Afolabi, 2023). The brevity and immediacy of Twitter’s communication style promote the use of concise, impactful expressions that are quickly disseminated across digital communities. Such neologisms are not only linguistic artifacts but also symbols of collective identity and digital activism. By analyzing viral hashtags, this study aims to trace the pathways of morphological change and understand the factors that drive these transformations. The research highlights the interplay between digital trends and language evolution, providing insights into how digital discourse reshapes morphology in real time (Nwankwo, 2024).
Statement of the problem
Despite the increasing prevalence of hashtag-driven neologisms on Twitter, there is limited research on their impact on Nigerian morphological patterns. Current literature often overlooks the mechanisms through which viral hashtags influence word formation processes and the creation of new lexical items. This gap in understanding hinders the development of comprehensive linguistic models that account for digital morphological innovation. The rapid pace of hashtag evolution, coupled with the lack of systematic analysis, presents challenges for linguists and language policymakers attempting to understand the broader implications of these changes (Obi, 2023). This study seeks to address these issues by providing a focused investigation of viral hashtags and their morphological impacts on Nigerian digital discourse.
Objectives of the study
1. To investigate the role of viral hashtags in generating neologisms on Twitter.
2. To analyze morphological changes associated with these neologisms.
3. To develop models explaining digital morphological innovation.
Research questions
1. How do viral hashtags contribute to the creation of neologisms?
2. What morphological patterns emerge from hashtag-driven lexical changes?
3. How can these patterns be theoretically modeled?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it explores the impact of viral hashtags on morphological patterns in Nigerian digital discourse. It provides critical insights into the mechanisms of word formation and neologism creation on Twitter, informing both linguistic theory and digital communication studies. The findings will be valuable for educators and policymakers in understanding and adapting to language change in the digital era (Chinwe, 2024; Adeola, 2023).
Scope and limitations of the study
The study is limited to examining viral hashtags and their effects on morphological patterns on Twitter, excluding other platforms and offline language practices.
Definitions of terms
• Viral Hashtags: Popular hashtags that spread rapidly across social media.
• Morphological Patterns: The structures and formations of words.
• Neologism: A newly coined word or expression.
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