An Assessment of Online Linguistic Innovation in Nigerian Social Media: A Case Study of Instagram Meme Culture
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Background of the study
Instagram meme culture has emerged as a vibrant arena for linguistic innovation in Nigeria, where humor and creativity drive the evolution of language. Memes combine images and text in playful ways, leading to the creation of neologisms, novel expressions, and unconventional syntactic structures (Ibrahim, 2023). Nigerian users leverage memes to comment on social, cultural, and political issues, thereby embedding new linguistic forms into everyday digital discourse. This study examines how meme culture on Instagram acts as a catalyst for language change, analyzing the lexical and syntactic innovations that arise from this medium. It explores the interplay between visual content and textual creativity, highlighting how the humorous and informal nature of memes encourages experimentation with language. The research investigates the processes of word formation and semantic shift, aiming to document the contributions of meme culture to digital linguistic innovation (Okafor, 2024). By understanding these dynamics, the study provides insights into the broader impact of social media on language evolution in Nigeria.
Statement of the problem
Despite the growing influence of meme culture on language, there is limited systematic research on the linguistic innovations driven by Instagram memes in Nigeria. Most studies focus on the visual or cultural aspects of memes, neglecting the detailed examination of lexical and syntactic changes. This gap restricts our understanding of how humor and digital creativity contribute to linguistic evolution, limiting the development of comprehensive models of digital language innovation (Chukwu, 2023).
Objectives of the study
- To analyze lexical and syntactic innovations in Nigerian Instagram memes.
- To examine the processes of word formation and semantic shift in meme culture.
- To evaluate the impact of meme-driven innovation on traditional language norms.
Research questions
- What linguistic innovations are evident in Nigerian Instagram memes?
- How do meme culture practices contribute to word formation and syntax alteration?
- What are the implications for conventional language use?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it explores the transformative role of Instagram meme culture in driving linguistic innovation in Nigeria. Its insights will enrich digital linguistics and inform media practitioners about evolving communication trends.
Scope and limitations of the study
The study is limited to Nigerian Instagram memes; it does not extend to other social media platforms or offline cultural expressions.
Definitions of terms
- Meme Culture: The creation and dissemination of humorous digital content that influences language.
- Neologisms: Newly coined words or expressions.
- Linguistic Innovation: The process of developing new language forms.
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