An Evaluation of Online Linguistic Innovation in Nigerian Social Media: A Case Study of Hashtag Neologisms on Twitter
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Background of the study
Hashtag neologisms represent a dynamic aspect of linguistic innovation in digital communication. On Twitter, users in Nigeria frequently create new words by combining hashtags with existing vocabulary to express complex socio-political ideas and cultural humor. These neologisms, born from rapid online interactions, reflect a departure from traditional language norms and signal the evolution of the digital lexicon (Adeniyi, 2023). Twitter’s unique constraints, including its character limit and real-time nature, foster a creative environment where linguistic experimentation thrives. Users adapt and repurpose hashtags to generate neologisms that encapsulate collective sentiments and current events, contributing to a continuously evolving online language (Ibrahim, 2024). This study investigates hashtag neologisms as a form of online linguistic innovation in Nigerian social media, examining the processes behind their creation and the factors that drive their adoption and dissemination. By analyzing a corpus of tweets, the research aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of digital lexical innovation and its broader implications for language change (Obi, 2025).
Statement of the problem
Despite the rapid proliferation of hashtag neologisms on Nigerian Twitter, there is limited research examining their formation, characteristics, and impact on overall language innovation. Most studies focus on the socio-political impact of hashtags rather than the linguistic processes underlying neologism creation. This gap hampers our understanding of how digital communication drives lexical innovation and the subsequent effects on the broader language system. As educators and policymakers grapple with the challenges of adapting to these changes, detailed insights into hashtag-based linguistic innovation are urgently needed (Chinwe, 2023).
Objectives of the study
1. To document and analyze hashtag neologisms on Nigerian Twitter.
2. To examine the linguistic features of these neologisms.
3. To assess their impact on digital language innovation.
Research questions
1. How are hashtag neologisms formed on Nigerian Twitter?
2. What linguistic features characterize these neologisms?
3. How do they influence the overall digital lexicon?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it evaluates online linguistic innovation through hashtag neologisms, offering insights into the mechanisms of digital lexical change in Nigeria. The findings will inform sociolinguistic theory and aid educators and policymakers in addressing emerging language trends (Adeniyi, 2023; Obi, 2025).
Scope and limitations of the study
The study is limited to analyzing hashtag neologisms on Nigerian Twitter and does not include other platforms or offline language phenomena.
Definitions of terms
• Neologism: A newly coined word or expression.
• Hashtag: A word or phrase prefixed with "#" used to categorize content.
• Digital Lexicon: The vocabulary emerging from online communication.
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