An Evaluation of Online Pragmatic Strategies in Nigerian Social Media: A Comparative Study of WhatsApp Group Chats
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Background of the Study
Online communication is marked by distinctive pragmatic strategies that help convey meaning beyond the literal content. In Nigerian WhatsApp group chats, these strategies have evolved in response to the immediacy and intimacy of the platform. Users frequently employ greetings, interjections, and context-dependent expressions that are culturally nuanced, enhancing both clarity and social bonding (Adeyemi, 2023). This study investigates how pragmatic strategies, such as speech acts, politeness markers, and discourse connectors, are utilized in WhatsApp group chats. Given Nigeria’s multilingual landscape, these chats serve as laboratories for examining how speakers negotiate meaning, express solidarity, and manage interpersonal relationships. The digital environment imposes its own constraints and affordances, which in turn influence language use. For example, the absence of non-verbal cues often leads to the creative use of textual markers such as emojis and abbreviations, which complement or even replace traditional pragmatic markers (Olu, 2024). Additionally, group dynamics, such as hierarchy and social roles, further shape the pragmatic choices of users. This investigation aims to bridge the gap in existing research by providing empirical insights into the evolution of online pragmatic strategies within WhatsApp group chats in Nigeria, contributing to a broader understanding of digital discourse and sociolinguistic identity formation (Eze, 2023).
Statement of the Problem
Although WhatsApp group chats are integral to Nigerian digital communication, there is a paucity of systematic studies focusing on the pragmatic strategies employed within these groups. The informal nature of these chats, coupled with the platform’s immediacy, has led to unique communicative practices that are not well-documented. This lack of empirical data creates challenges for understanding how online pragmatics are shaped by cultural and technological influences. Furthermore, current studies have not adequately compared how these strategies differ across various user demographics, leaving a gap in understanding the interplay between language, culture, and technology (Balogun, 2024).
Objectives of the Study
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To identify and analyze pragmatic markers in Nigerian WhatsApp group chats.
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To compare the use of these markers across different demographic groups.
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To assess the impact of digital affordances on pragmatic strategies.
Research Questions
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What are the common pragmatic strategies used in Nigerian WhatsApp group chats?
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How do demographic factors influence the choice of pragmatic markers?
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How do digital affordances shape the pragmatic practices in these chats?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it illuminates the under-researched area of online pragmatics in Nigerian digital communication. By focusing on WhatsApp group chats, it offers insights into how users negotiate meaning and manage social interactions in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The findings will benefit linguists, sociologists, and communication practitioners by enhancing our understanding of the interplay between technology, culture, and language (Ibrahim, 2023).
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study is limited to the analysis of pragmatic strategies in Nigerian WhatsApp group chats and does not extend to other social media platforms or offline communication contexts.
Definitions of Terms
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Pragmatic Strategies: Techniques used in communication to convey meaning beyond the literal interpretation.
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WhatsApp Group Chats: Digital messaging groups on WhatsApp where multiple users engage in real-time conversations.
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Digital Affordances: Features of digital platforms that influence how users communicate.
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