An Investigation of Hashtag Based Language Change in Nigerian Social Media: A Case Study of Twitter Trends
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Background of the study
Hashtag based language change has emerged as a distinctive phenomenon in Nigerian social media, particularly on Twitter. Originally intended for content categorization, hashtags now serve as dynamic linguistic tools that encapsulate social and political messages. Nigerian Twitter users frequently repurpose hashtags to create new words and expressions, contributing to lexical and syntactic innovation (Adeniyi, 2023). These neologisms often spread rapidly within digital communities, reflecting evolving cultural narratives and collective identity. The study of hashtag based language change provides insight into how digital activism and social trends drive linguistic evolution. By examining a corpus of trending hashtags on Twitter, this study seeks to document the mechanisms behind neologism formation and analyze their impact on broader language use in Nigeria (Ibrahim, 2024). This investigation will also explore how hashtag language challenges conventional linguistic norms and fosters creative expression, contributing to theoretical models of digital language innovation (Obi, 2025).
Statement of the problem
Although hashtag based neologisms are a well observed phenomenon in Nigerian Twitter discourse, there is limited systematic research on their linguistic characteristics and evolution. Existing studies often focus on the social or political aspects of hashtags, neglecting the detailed analysis of their lexical and syntactic transformations. This gap restricts our understanding of how digital activism drives language change and impedes the development of comprehensive models for digital linguistic innovation (Chinwe, 2023). Without targeted research on hashtag based language change, educators and policymakers are left with an incomplete picture of contemporary language evolution in digital spaces (Ibrahim, 2024).
Objectives of the study
1. To investigate the formation of hashtag based neologisms on Twitter.
2. To analyze the linguistic features of these new expressions.
3. To assess the broader impact on Nigerian language use.
Research questions
1. How are hashtag based neologisms formed in Nigerian Twitter trends?
2. What are the key linguistic features of these neologisms?
3. How do these innovations affect overall digital discourse?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it explores the impact of hashtag based language change on Nigerian digital discourse, contributing to sociolinguistic theory and digital communication research. The findings will inform language education and media policy by highlighting contemporary mechanisms of lexical innovation (Adeniyi, 2023; Obi, 2025).
Scope and limitations of the study
The study is limited to analyzing hashtag based language change on Nigerian Twitter, excluding other platforms and non hashtag phenomena.
Definitions of terms
• Hashtag Based Language Change: Linguistic innovation driven by the creative use of hashtags.
• Neologism: A newly coined word or expression.
• Digital Activism: The use of digital media to promote social or political change.
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