The Effect of Digital Hashtags on Nigerian Semantic Shifts: A Case Study of Twitter Movements
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Background of the Study
Digital hashtags have become powerful tools for shaping public discourse and driving semantic shifts in Nigerian online communities. This study investigates how Twitter movements, characterized by the strategic use of hashtags, contribute to changes in word meanings and the emergence of new semantic fields. Nigerian users employ hashtags to encapsulate complex ideas and mobilize social change, leading to rapid redefinitions of terms as they spread through digital networks (Nwachukwu, 2023). The research explores how hashtags function as catalysts for semantic innovation, capturing the evolving political, cultural, and social contexts of Nigeria. By analyzing the trajectory of specific hashtags, the study reveals the processes through which digital activism reconfigures language meanings and creates dynamic linguistic repertoires. The findings aim to demonstrate that hashtags not only organize discourse but also serve as instruments for semantic transformation, reflecting and influencing collective perceptions in digital spaces (Obi, 2024).
Statement of the Problem
Although digital hashtags are integral to online discourse, their role in driving semantic shifts in Nigerian language remains insufficiently examined. The rapid evolution of hashtag meanings poses challenges for capturing their full impact on language change. This gap hinders the ability of scholars to understand the mechanisms behind digital semantic innovation. The study addresses this problem by investigating how Twitter hashtag movements lead to shifts in word meanings and contribute to the broader dynamics of digital communication (Adeniyi, 2023).
Objectives of the Study
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To analyze the role of digital hashtags in driving semantic shifts on Twitter.
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To examine the processes by which hashtag movements redefine word meanings.
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To assess the broader impact of semantic shifts on Nigerian digital discourse.
Research Questions
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How do digital hashtags influence semantic shifts in Nigerian online discourse?
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What mechanisms underlie the redefinition of word meanings through hashtag movements?
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What are the broader implications of these semantic shifts for digital communication?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it elucidates the impact of digital hashtags on semantic innovation in Nigerian social media. The insights provided will benefit linguists, digital communication scholars, and social activists by highlighting the transformative power of online movements on language. It contributes to a deeper understanding of how digital activism reshapes meaning in contemporary discourse (Eze, 2023).
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study is limited to examining semantic shifts induced by digital hashtags in Nigerian Twitter movements. It does not extend to other platforms or non-political contexts.
Definitions of Terms
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Semantic Shifts: Changes in the meaning of words over time.
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Hashtag Movements: Organized digital campaigns using specific hashtags to promote social or political causes.
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Digital Activism: The use of digital tools and platforms to support social or political change.
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