SYNTACTIC AND LEXICO-SEMANTIC ANALYSES OF SELECTED SMS TEXT MESSAGES

SYNTACTIC AND LEXICO-SEMANTIC ANALYSES OF SELECTED SMS TEXT MESSAGES

ABSTRACT

At whatever level of language study, words serve as the foundation for linguistic analysis. The purpose of this study was to identify the numerous Lexical and Syntactic elements that comprise personal text messages among University of Ilorin students. To decipher the Lexical and Syntactic elements present in chosen text messages, Lexical features, Lexical relations, Word-formation processes, and Word Sequences were used. The study discovered that nouns are the most frequent lexical elements in the personal text messages of University of Ilorin students, while adverbs are the least used lexical characteristics in the production of these messages. It was also revealed that the majority of the words used in message composition were derived through the word-formation process, and that short sentences were the most commonly utilized sentence sequences in these communications. The essay concluded that effective communication through personal text messages among University of Ilorin students can be achieved if message receivers consider the numerous Lexical and Syntactic factors indicated in their interpretation.

TABLE OF MATERIALS

Section I: Table of Contents

Tables Catalogue

Abstract

CHAPITRE ONE

INTRODUCTION IN GENERAL

Introduction

Problem Statement for Research

The Study’s Objective

The Study’s Scope

Justification for the research

Methodology

Data Definition

Summary

CHAPITRE TWO

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 First Look

2.2 Lexis Definition

2.3 Lexical Characteristics

2.4 Lexical Connections

2.5 Processes of Word Formation

2.6 The Word Sequence

2.7 A Quick Look at Semantics

Lexico-semantics (2.8)

2.9 Text Messaging using SMS in Nigeria

2.10 Conclusion

CHAPITRE THREE

ANALYSIS OF DATA

3.1 The Beginning

3.2 Lexical Characteristics

3.3 Lexical Connections

3.4 Processes of Word Formation

3.5 Word Sequence

CHAPITRE FOUR

DISCUSSION

4.1 Conclusion

4.2 Results

4.3 Final Thoughts

REFERENCES

APPENDIX

CHAPITRE ONE

INTRODUCTION IN GENERAL

1.1 BEGINNING

Communication through efficient language use is a strategy that contributes to a positive human relationship. Humans are considered higher creatures due to their ability to successfully communicate through the use of language. Language, as a tool for effective communication, is the most significant aspect of a human being that distinguishes him from animals, according to Adedimeji (2005, p.1). Language is examined at five major levels in linguistics as a result of the important function it plays in a man’s life (Tomori,1977,p.21 as referenced by Adedimeji,2005,p.1). Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, and Pragmatics are the levels. Words are crucial at all levels of language study.

According to Crystal (2008), a lexeme is “a term used by some linguists to refer to the minimal distinctive unit in a language’s semantic system.” Semantics is also characterized as “a major branch of linguistics devoted to the study of meaning in a language” by Crystal (2008). Lexico-semantics thus combines the meanings of ‘Lexemes’ and ‘Semantics’. It arose from the language disciplines of Lexicology and Semantics. Lexico-semantics, a subfield of Semantics, is concerned with words and their meanings. It explores the everyday use of words among interactants in order to improve communication. Lexico-semantics is concerned with the relationship between words, their meanings, and the messages they communicate.

SMS is a short message service that allows information to be sent from one person to another at a specific rate through a network. In many regions of the world, SMS is used as an abbreviation for all sorts of short text messaging. SMS text messaging is one means of communication that has made its way into the communication system in recent years. It is one technical equipment whose use is rapidly spreading throughout Africa and even the rest of the world.

SMS communication is conducted solely through the use of words. Lexemes are utilized to improve the device’s effectiveness. The efficiency of this medium of communication is dependent on the appropriate combination of the words it carries, and it is in the combination of these words that the message is found. As a result, the relationship between Lexico-semantics and SMS text messaging is one of successful communication, which is enabled by a suitable combination of words in text messages.

Based on the preceding, this work seeks 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 comprise text messages. This will improve interpretation and reduce participant misinterpretations.

1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT

The problem that this study aims to answer is the problem of misinterpretation of text messages as a result of incorrect word choice or lexeme arrangement in text message composition, resulting in a breakdown in communication. The goal of this work is to identify the many word-formation processes involved in the development of new words, as well as the lexical properties and relationships that exist between words and how these words are sequenced to produce larger grammatical units. This work will also investigate how these words influence the interpretation of a text message, resulting in better word choices on the part of the sender and a more precise interpretation on the part of the receiver.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The goal of this study is to add to the body of knowledge by investigating the combination of words and their meaning in conveying an SMS. This study aims to evaluate chosen personal text messages sent by University of Ilorin students between the ages of 18 and 25, in order to discover the word-formation processes, lexical properties, and relationships that exist among the lexemes contained in them. It would also be investigated how knowledge of lexical and semantic links contributes to the meaning of text communications. This will aid in the better understanding of text messages.

1.4 STUDY OBJECTIVES

This paper will analyze thirty personal text messages sent by University of Ilorin students between the ages of 18 and 25. The analysis will be performed by identifying the word-formation processes, lexical properties and relations, and word sequences among the words that comprise these messages. The research will also look at the word sequencing in the messages and how all of these factors contribute to the interpretation of these communications.

1.5 THE STUDY’S JUSTIFICATION

This paper is based on a Lexico-semantic analysis of SMS text messages. Several other studies on SMS text messages have been conducted. Awonusi (2004) conducted a “sociolinguistic study of SMS text messages as a register in Nigerian English,” Egbe (2005) discussed “Aspects of the Grammar of SMS text messages,” and Alabi (2010b) discussed “Stylistic creativity via schemes: Tropes, Lexical cohesion, and Descriptive Adjectives in SMS text messaging among Nigerian university Graduates.”

However, based on the foregoing, it can be seen that SMS text messages have been studied from various fields of linguistics such as Sociolinguistics, Grammar, Stylistics, and so on. This study, on the other hand, adds to our understanding and analysis of SMS text messages in the Lexico-semantic field. Students of communication studies, users of SMS text messaging as a method of communication, and students of English language and literature will find this book quite useful and useful.

1.6 THE METHODOLOGY

The data for analysis in this study were chosen at random. Text messages sent by University of Ilorin students aged 18 to 25 years old were used to collect data for this study. This work will concentrate on personal text messages (Chiluwa,2007, p.98 as cited by Alabi,2010b,p.1). In this paper, thirty personal text messages have been chosen for analysis. These messages constitute the entire body of personal text messages and are deemed appropriate for the purpose of this work. These messages will be analyzed by identifying numerous aspects that describe lexemes, such as word-formation processes, lexical relations and characteristics, and word sequencing, and how they contribute to the messages they carry through as a result of their co-occurrence in an expression.

1.7 DESCRIPTION OF DATA

Neil Papworth, a 22-year-old, invented SMS in December 1992. Friedhelm Hillebrand, Bernard Ghillebaert, and Oculy Silaban invented SMS in 1984 as part of the Franco-German GSM partnership. However, since the inception of the Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) in Nigeria in 2001, Alabi, (2010b), SMS text messaging has become a major means of transmitting information from one person to another, regardless of the distance between the’sender’ and’receiver’. MTN, Nigeria’s first GSM company, began commercial operations in August 2001. This launch propelled the Short Message Service (SMS) to the forefront of the Nigerian communication system. Text messaging has evolved significantly since then.

The data for this study are personal text messages, which Chiluwa (2007) defines as “well-wishing messages and messages used to express emotions.” Thirty of these communications were chosen for analysis utilizing technologies that will be detailed in the following chapter.

1.8 SYNOPSIS

So far in this chapter, an understanding of the variables of the topic of this study has been developed, as well as the purpose, scope, justification, and methodology for this study. A more thorough and detailed description of the study’s approach and its components is hoped to be presented in the following chapter, which is the literature review.