An Investigation of Semantic Shifts in Nigerian Social Media Discourse: A Comparative Study of Instagram and Facebook
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Background of the Study
Semantic shifts—the changes in word meanings over time—are increasingly observed in digital communication. This study compares semantic shifts in Nigerian social media discourse on Instagram and Facebook. On Instagram, visual context and succinct captions often lead to rapid redefinition of terms, while Facebook’s extended narrative format facilitates more gradual semantic evolution (Olu, 2023). Nigerian users frequently repurpose existing words or create new expressions to reflect evolving cultural, social, and political realities. These semantic changes are driven by the interplay of user creativity, digital trends, and sociopolitical events, which together reconfigure language meanings. By examining posts, comments, and hashtags on both platforms, the study aims to uncover the processes that lead to semantic shifts and to assess their implications for communication and cultural identity. The comparative approach reveals how platform-specific affordances shape language evolution, providing insights into the dynamic nature of meaning in digital contexts (Adeniyi, 2024).
Statement of the Problem
Although semantic shifts are evident in Nigerian social media discourse, there is limited comparative research focusing on Instagram and Facebook. The mechanisms through which digital communication influences meaning remain underexplored, limiting our understanding of how sociocultural factors drive semantic evolution. This gap in knowledge restricts our ability to develop robust models of language change in digital contexts and hinders efforts to capture the impact of online discourse on cultural identity (Ibrahim, 2023).
Objectives of the Study
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To compare semantic shifts in Nigerian Instagram and Facebook discourse.
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To identify factors driving meaning change in digital communication.
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To assess the impact of these shifts on cultural and social identity.
Research Questions
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What semantic shifts are observable on Instagram and Facebook?
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How do platform-specific features contribute to these shifts?
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What are the broader cultural implications of evolving meanings?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it provides a comparative analysis of semantic shifts in Nigerian social media discourse. The findings will contribute to our understanding of language evolution in digital contexts and offer valuable insights for linguists and cultural theorists interested in the interplay between technology and meaning (Chukwu, 2023).
Scope and Limitations of the Study
Limited to the topic only.
Definitions of Terms
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Semantic Shifts: Changes in the meaning of words over time.
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Instagram: A social media platform that emphasizes visual content with brief textual captions.
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Facebook: A platform for extended textual communication and community discussions.
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