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The Dynamics of Language Mixing in Nigerian Digital Communication

The Dynamics of Language Mixing in Nigerian Digital Communication

Rotimi Taiwo
Copyright: © 2010 |Pages: 11
ISBN13: 9781615207732|ISBN10: 1615207732|EISBN13: 9781615207749
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61520-773-2.ch011
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MLA

Taiwo, Rotimi. "The Dynamics of Language Mixing in Nigerian Digital Communication." Handbook of Research on Discourse Behavior and Digital Communication: Language Structures and Social Interaction, edited by Rotimi Taiwo, IGI Global, 2010, pp. 180-190. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-61520-773-2.ch011

APA

Taiwo, R. (2010). The Dynamics of Language Mixing in Nigerian Digital Communication. In R. Taiwo (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Discourse Behavior and Digital Communication: Language Structures and Social Interaction (pp. 180-190). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-61520-773-2.ch011

Chicago

Taiwo, Rotimi. "The Dynamics of Language Mixing in Nigerian Digital Communication." In Handbook of Research on Discourse Behavior and Digital Communication: Language Structures and Social Interaction, edited by Rotimi Taiwo, 180-190. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2010. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-61520-773-2.ch011

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Abstract

This chapter examines language mixing in two text-based asynchronous modes – internet forums and text messages. While the latter is limited in space, thereby encouraging the use of stylistic short forms, the former presents the participant with unlimited space for expression. This major difference affects the extent to which language mixing is practiced in the two forms of communication. Language mixing in text messages is constrained mainly by cultural factors - greetings and prayers form the bulk of indigenous language expressions embedded in English, the matrix language. Language play is another factor that motivates people to mix languages in text messages. In internet forums, language mixing manifests as a result of the apparent mutual linguistic influence that English and the Nigerian languages have on each other. Conscious and deliberate language mixing reflects most prominently the need by participants for identity construction in their discourse. Features of Nigerianisms coupled with language mixing gives the communication in both SMS and internet forum the distinct Nigerian flavor.

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