A MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ABBREVIATED NEOLOGISMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA DISCOURSES AMONG KENYANS ON X

Abstract

In recent years, the rise of social media platforms has transformed communication patterns and language use across the globe. Among these platforms, X (formerly known as Twitter) stands out as one of the most influential, having witnessed the emergence and widespread adoption of abbreviated neologisms. This study conducts a morphological analysis of abbreviated neologisms used by Kenyans on X. The objectives are threefold, to: describe the morphological structures of these abbreviated neologisms; second, to examine the correlation of non-linguistic variables and demographics on the use of abbreviated neologisms among Kenyans on X; and analyze these abbreviated neologisms within social media discourses using the natural morphology framework (NMT) propounded. NMT is a functionalist theory that explains word formation based on cognitive, phonological and pragmatic principles, with emphasis on naturalness, economy, iconicity, productivity, adaptability and universality. These tenets provide the framework through which the abbreviated neologisms were evaluated. Regardless of this increasing linguistic trend, scarce research studies have been done on morphological frames of abridged neologisms, especially in the Kenyan cyberspace. Data in the study was obtained using systematic sampling based on posts publicly posted on X by Kenyans. Posts were recorded through taking screenshots of abbreviated neologisms, and this led to a corpus of 150 items. The neologisms that look to be the shortened forms were defined and characterized using the context. Subsequently the data was categorized on the morphology of the neologisms and included the type of abbreviation, source words or roots and other morphemes. This category gave an idea of the regularities and tendencies of the application of shortened neologisms on X. The results yield valuable information on the morphological morphs of shortened neologisms, and represent one of the intimate details of the innovative use of language by the Kenyan X users. The paper pinpoints the importance of social media platforms in the evolution of language that proves the technological impact on the formation process of words. The result of the investigation was that initialisms, clipping and contraction are used to create abbreviated neologism. The analysis revealed that young people were more prone to use abbreviations as compared to the old. Also, restrictions to technological constrains like character length of that platform, and the platform interaction have a big role in influencing the use of word formation on X as it fosters creativity among the KOX in their use of language. Moreover, the study means a lot because it would document the changes in modern language and will be of benefit to language education and lexicographic practice in the digital era. These observations highlight the wider perception of language variation and change through social media platform..