An Investigation of Hashtag Based Neologisms in Nigerian Social Media: A Comparative Study of Twitter Trends
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Background of the study
Hashtag based neologisms have emerged as a distinctive feature of digital discourse on Twitter, particularly in Nigeria. Users often create new words by combining hashtags with existing lexical items, thereby forming innovative expressions that capture socio-political sentiments and cultural nuances (Adeniyi, 2023). Twitter’s real time environment and brevity stimulate rapid lexical innovation, where neologisms spread quickly across digital communities. This study investigates how hashtag based neologisms are formed, disseminated, and stabilized in Nigerian Twitter trends. By comparing different trending hashtags, the research aims to uncover the morphological and syntactic processes that underlie these neologisms. The interplay between user creativity and platform constraints drives a dynamic digital lexicon that both reflects and shapes public discourse. In this context, hashtag neologisms serve not only as linguistic markers but also as tools for digital activism and social identity construction (Ibrahim, 2024). Moreover, this study situates these innovations within broader language change models to understand their long term implications. By exploring these mechanisms, the research contributes to theoretical frameworks on digital language evolution and offers insights that are valuable for educators and policymakers addressing rapid lexical shifts in contemporary Nigerian society (Obi, 2025).
Statement of the problem
Despite the increasing prominence of hashtag based neologisms on Nigerian Twitter, there is limited systematic research on their linguistic features and evolution. Most studies focus on the socio-political aspects of hashtags rather than the detailed lexical processes that generate new expressions. This gap restricts our ability to model digital language change and hinders efforts by educators and policymakers to address emerging digital lexicon trends (Chinwe, 2023; Ibrahim, 2024).
Objectives of the study
• To document and classify hashtag based neologisms on Nigerian Twitter.
• To analyze the morphological and syntactic features of these neologisms.
• To compare digital word formation with traditional lexical innovation processes.
Research questions
• What types of hashtag based neologisms are prevalent on Nigerian Twitter?
• What linguistic processes underlie their formation?
• How do these neologisms impact the overall digital lexicon?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it deepens our understanding of digital lexical innovation through hashtag based neologisms in Nigerian Twitter discourse. The findings will enrich sociolinguistic theory and provide actionable insights for educators and policymakers in adapting language curricula to rapid digital changes (Adeniyi, 2023; Obi, 2025).
Scope and limitations of the study
The study is confined to Twitter data from Nigerian users and does not consider other social media platforms or offline language practices.
Definitions of terms
• Neologism: A newly coined word or expression.
• Hashtag: A word or phrase preceded by "#" used to index content.
• Digital Lexicon: Vocabulary emerging from online communication.
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