SYNTACTIC AND LEXICO-SEMANTIC ANALYSES OF SELECTED SMS TEXT MESSAGES AMONG THE UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN STUDENTS
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ABSTRACT
Regardless of the degree of language study, words serve as the foundation for linguistic analyses. The purpose of this study was to catalog the various lexical and syntactic components of private text messages sent by University of Ilorin students. The lexical and syntactic components included in a sample of text messages were dissected using lexical features, lexical relations, word-formation processes, and word sequences. One of the research’s conclusions was that nouns predominate over adverbs in the personal text messages of University of Ilorin students, whereas adverbs are rarely utilized in the writing of these messages. Also, it was found that the majority of the language used in the communications were made up. The conclusion was that, if the recipients of the messages take into consideration the numerous Lexical and Syntactic aspects discovered in their interpretation, effective communication through personal text messages among University of Ilorin students can ensue.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
1.3 The Purpose of the Study
1.4 Scope of the Study
1.5 Justification of the study
1.6 Methodology
1.7 Data Description
1.8 Summary
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Meaning of Lexis
2.3 Lexical Features
2.4 Lexical Relations
2.5 Word-formation Processes
2.6 The Sequence of Words
2.7 A Brief Examination of Semantics
2.8 Lexico-semantics
2.9 SMS Text Messaging in Nigeria
2.10 Summary
CHAPTER THREE
DATA ANALYSIS
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Lexical Features
3.3 Lexical Relations
3.4 Word-formation Processes
3.5 Sequence of Words
CHAPTER FOUR
DISCUSSION
4.1 Summary
4.2 Findings
4.3 Conclusion
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
A strong human relationship can be created through appropriate language use as a means of communication. Because of their capacity for successful language use in communication, humans are regarded as higher creatures. The primary characteristic of a person that distinguishes him from other animals is language as a means of successful communication, according to Adedimeji (2005, p.1). Due to the significant impact language has on a man’s life, linguistics studies language at five different levels (Tomori, 1977,p.21 as cited by Adedimeji,2005,p.1). Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, and Pragmatics are these stages. In every stage of language analysis, words are crucial. The minimum distinguishing unit in a language’s semantic system is referred to as a lexeme, according to Crystal’s definition from 2008. Semantics, according to Crystal (2008), is “a significant branch of linguistics devoted to the study of meaning in a language.” Hence, lexico-semantics integrates the definitions of lexis and semantics. It has its roots in the linguistic disciplines of semantics and lexicology. The study of words and their meanings is the focus of lexico-semantics, a branch of semantics. In order to facilitate efficient communication, it examines how interactants utilize language on a regular basis. The relationship between words, their meanings, and the messages they carry is the subject of lexico-semantics.
Short message service, or SMS, enables the fast transmission of information from one person to another across a network. In many parts of the world, SMS is used as a shorthand for all forms of short text messaging. One form of communication that has integrated itself into the system of communication during the past few years is SMS text messaging. It is a technology tool whose use is expanding quickly throughout a broad spectrum across all of Africa and even the world.
There is no other way to communicate via SMS but by using words. The efficiency of this gadget is enhanced by the use of lexemes. The message is contained in the appropriate combination of the words that make up this medium of communication, which determines how well it communicates. Effective communication, which is made possible by using the right word combinations in text messages, is the relationship that exists between Lexico-semantics and SMS text messaging.
Based on the aforementioned, this work intends to investigate and identify the processes involved in the generation of these words, as well as the numerous lexical relations and properties that exist among the words that compose text messages. This will help to improve interpretation and guard against participant misunderstandings.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
The challenge that this work seeks to address is the issue of misinterpretation of text messages due to poor word choice or lexeme arrangement in the creation of text messages, which results in a breakdown in communication. The goal of this effort is to identify the many word-formation processes, lexical properties, and relationships between words, as well as how words are arranged to form larger grammatical units. As a result, the sender will be able to make better word selections and the recipient will be able to understand the message more precisely. This effort also aims to look at how certain words affect how a text message is interpreted.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to contribute to the body of knowledge through an investigation into the combination of word and their meaning in conveying an SMS. This work seeks to examine selected personal text messages sent by the students of the University of Ilorin between the ages of 18-25 years, identify the word-formation processes, lexical features and relations that exist among the lexemes that are contained in them. Also, how the knowledge of the lexical and semantic relations contribute to the meaning of the text messages would be examined. This will help to promote a better understanding of text messages.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This work will focus basically on the analysis of thirty personal text messages of the University of Ilorin students between the ages of 18-25 years. The analysis will be carried out through an identification of the word-formation processes, lexical features and relations and the word sequences among the words that make up these messages. The study will also take a look at the sequencing of words in the messages and how all these features contribute to the understanding of these messages.
1.5 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
This work is based on an analysis of SMS text messages using a Lexico-semantic approach. Several other studies have been conducted on SMS text messages. Among these are Awonusi (2004), who did “A Sociolinguistic study of SMS text messages as a register in Nigerian English”, Egbe (2005), discussed the “Aspects of the Grammar of SMS text messages”, Alabi, (2010b), wrote on “Stylistic creativity via schemes: Tropes, Lexical cohesion and Descriptive Adjectives in SMS text messaging among Nigerian university Graduates”.
However, going by the above, it can be observed that SMS text messages have been studied from various fields of linguistics ranging from Sociolinguistics, to Grammar, to Stylistics, etc. This study is however adding to the knowledge and analysis of SMS text messages in the Lexico-semantic field. This work will be of great relevance and a reference point to students of communication studies, users of SMS text messaging as a medium of communication and students of English language and literature.
1.6 METHODOLOGY
The selection of data for analysis in this study has been done randomly. The sources for the data for analysis in this study are text messages sent by the University of Ilorin students between the ages of 18-25 years. Out of these text messages, this work will focus on personal text messages (Chiluwa,2007, p.98 as cited by Alabi,2010b,p.1). Thirty personal text messages have been selected for analysis in this work. These messages represent the whole body of personal text messages and are considered suitable for the purpose for which this work is conducted. The analysis ofthese messages will be done through an identification of various elements that characterize lexemes i.e. word-formation processes, lexical relations and features and word sequencing in contributing to the messages they pass across as a result of their co-occurrence in an expression.
1.7 DATA DESCRIPTION
SMS was first used in December 1992 by a 22-year-old named Neil Papworth. The concept of SMS was developed by Friedhelm Hillebrand, Bernard Ghillebaert and Oculy Silaban in 1984, in the Franco-German GSM cooperation. However, following the inception of the Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) in Nigeria, in the year 2001, Alabi, (2010b), SMS text messaging has become a major medium of passing across information from one person to another irrespective of the distance between the ‘sender’ an ‘receiver’. MTN, which happened to be the first GSM Company in Nigeria, commenced its commercial services in August 2001. This commencement brought the Short Message Service (SMS) to limelight in the Nigerian communication system. Ever since then, text messaging has taken different turns.
The data for analysis in this study are personal text messages, as described by Chiluwa (2007) as “well wishing messages and messages that are used to express emotions”. Thirty of these messages have been selected for analysis using certain tools that will be discussed in the next chapter.
1.8 SUMMARY
So far in this chapter, an insight into the variables of the topic of this study has been created, the purpose, scope, justification and methodology for this study have been discussed. A more extensive and detailed discussion of the approach to the study and its elements is hoped to be discussed in the next chapter, which is the literature review.
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