An Appraisal of Digital Neologisms in Nigerian Online Communication: A Case Study of Hashtag Creation on Twitter
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Background of the Study
Digital neologisms, or newly coined terms, have become integral to online communication in Nigeria. Particularly on Twitter, hashtag creation serves as a powerful tool for generating new vocabulary that reflects evolving cultural, political, and social phenomena (Nwachukwu, 2023). This study appraises digital neologisms by examining how Twitter users create and propagate hashtags that encapsulate contemporary issues. The process of neologism formation on Twitter involves blending, abbreviation, and semantic shift, where existing words are repurposed or new terms are invented to express collective sentiment. The brevity of tweets and the viral nature of hashtags accelerate lexical innovation, making Twitter a dynamic laboratory for language change. Nigerian users actively engage with these neologisms, integrating them into everyday discourse and reinforcing digital identities. By analyzing trending hashtags and their linguistic characteristics, the study seeks to understand the mechanisms driving neologism creation and their impact on digital language. It also considers how these innovations reflect broader sociocultural transformations and the participatory culture of online activism (Adeniyi, 2024).
Statement of the Problem
While digital neologisms on Twitter are widely observed, there is limited systematic research on the specific processes and impacts of hashtag-based language innovation in Nigeria. The rapid evolution of new lexical items, driven by online trends and social movements, poses challenges for traditional linguistic analysis. Existing studies have not adequately addressed how these neologisms emerge, spread, and influence everyday communication. This gap in research limits our understanding of digital language evolution and hinders the development of comprehensive models that account for the dynamic nature of online discourse. This study aims to fill this gap by focusing on hashtag creation on Twitter as a case study of digital neologism, thereby providing insights into the mechanisms and cultural implications of lexical innovation (Ibrahim, 2023).
Objectives of the Study
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To identify hashtag-based neologisms on Nigerian Twitter.
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To analyze the processes behind their creation and spread.
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To evaluate the impact of these neologisms on digital communication.
Research Questions
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What are the common characteristics of hashtag-based neologisms on Twitter?
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How are these neologisms created and disseminated?
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What effect do they have on Nigerian online discourse?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it provides a focused investigation of digital neologisms through hashtag creation on Twitter, offering insights into contemporary lexical innovation. The findings will enhance our understanding of language change in digital contexts and inform strategies for engaging with evolving online discourse. The research contributes to sociolinguistic theory by demonstrating the impact of participatory culture on vocabulary development, benefiting linguists, media scholars, and digital communication practitioners (Chukwu, 2023).
Scope and Limitations of the Study
Limited to the topic only.
Definitions of Terms
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Digital Neologisms: Newly coined words or expressions that emerge in digital communication.
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Hashtag Creation: The process of generating new lexical items using the hashtag symbol.
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Twitter: A social media platform characterized by brief, viral content.
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