Document Type
Original Study
Subject Areas
Language/Linguistics and Literature
Keywords
Computer Mediated Communication, Orality, Literacy, SMS Discourse, Linguistic Creativity, Nigerian Languages.
Abstract
The SMS discourse is generally known to be hybrid in nature, as it very often combines features of both orality and literacy. In line with this, numerous labels – such as oral-written text, netlish, netspeak and the like – have been employed in reference to the phenomenon. These appellations point to the hybrid nature of the phenomenon. This article attempts to show to what extent orality shapes the content of Nigerian SMS discourse. It probes into the various linguistic features observable in 2000 SMS texts messages generated by both literate and semi-literate texters from 5 Nigerian towns (including Lagos, Enugu, Calabar, Uyo and Oweri), in view of evaluating the extent to which features of orality may be found in the Nigerian SMS discourse. It argues that the Nigerian SMS discourse has more literacy features than it has characteristics of oral language. These literacy features are dominantly observable in SMS messages composed by literate Nigerian texters. On the other hand, orality features are dominantly present in SMS texts generated by semi-educated texters. The principal orality features observable in these SMS texts (from both literate and semi- literate texters) include graphones, vowel deletion, initialisation, onomatopoeic expressions, truncation among others.
How to Cite This Article
Patrick C., Endong Floribert and Eugenie Grace, Essoh Ndobo
(2015)
"Orality versus literacy in the Nigerian SMS discourse,"
Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 18:
Iss.
3, Article 3.
DOI: 10.5782/2223-2621.2015.18.3.33
Available at:
https://kjhss.khazar.org/journal/vol18/iss3/3
Publication Date
2015