An Appraisal of Hashtag Based Language Change in Nigerian Digital Discourse: A Comparative Study of Twitter Movements
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Background of the study
Hashtag-based language change has become a powerful force in digital communication, particularly on Twitter. In Nigeria, hashtag movements are not only used to mobilize social and political action but also to drive lexical and syntactic innovation (Ibrahim, 2023). Users repurpose hashtags to create new expressions that encapsulate collective identities and emerging cultural phenomena. This study appraises the impact of hashtag movements on language change by comparing various Twitter campaigns. It investigates how hashtags contribute to the formation of neologisms, alter syntactic patterns, and influence semantic meaning. By analyzing trending hashtags and associated tweet corpora, the research uncovers the mechanisms of digital word formation and the socio-cultural factors that facilitate language evolution in online contexts (Okafor, 2024). The study aims to bridge the gap between sociopolitical analysis and linguistic innovation, providing a comprehensive understanding of digital language change in Nigeria.
Statement of the problem
Although hashtag movements have visibly altered language use on Twitter, there is limited systematic research on the specific linguistic changes they engender in Nigeria. Existing studies tend to emphasize the political or social aspects of hashtags, overlooking their role in lexical and syntactic transformation. This gap restricts our comprehension of how digital activism influences language, impeding the development of robust models for hashtag-based language change (Chukwu, 2023).
Objectives of the study
- To analyze linguistic changes induced by hashtag movements on Nigerian Twitter.
- To identify processes of neologism formation and syntactic alteration.
- To evaluate the overall impact on traditional language norms.
Research questions
- How do hashtag movements drive language change in Nigerian Twitter discourse?
- What linguistic processes underlie hashtag-based innovations?
- What are the implications for conventional lexical and syntactic structures?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it offers a comprehensive appraisal of hashtag-based language change in Nigerian digital discourse. Its findings will contribute to the theoretical understanding of digital language evolution and guide future research in digital sociolinguistics.
Scope and limitations of the study
The study is limited to analyzing hashtag movements on Nigerian Twitter and does not cover other digital platforms or offline language practices.
Definitions of terms
- Hashtag Movements: Coordinated social media campaigns using specific hashtags.
- Lexical Innovation: The creation of new words or expressions.
- Language Change: The evolution of language structures over time.
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