Linguistic Forms and Functions of SMS Text Messages in Nigeria

AbstrAct The chapter examines the linguistic forms and functions of SMS text messages in Nigeria. With an estimated 25 million mobile phone users in Nigeria, the use of SMS is fast growing in Nigeria, just like in other parts of the world and this is leading to the gradual abandoning of the traditional oral culture, especially among the educated. In addition to the usual nonconventional orthographic forms and spelling typical of SMS, the study observes Nigerian users' tenor consciousness, linguistic creativity, text multilingualism, the use of predominantly local languages, the emergence of NEB-SMS, and how the socioeconomic and religious atmosphere of the country constrain SMSs. A greater demand is placed on ESL teachers to emphasize how style, context, purpose and audience determine linguistic choice. It is observed that the use of The chapter examines the linguistic forms and functions of SMS text messages in Nigeria. With an estimated 25 million mobile phone users in Nigeria, the use of SMS is fast growing in Nigeria, just like in other parts of the world and this is leading to the gradual abandoning of the traditional oral culture, especially among the educated ones. In addition to the usual nonconventional orthographic forms and spelling typical of SMS, the study observes Nigerian users' tenor consciousness , linguistic creativity, text multilingualism, the use of predominantly local languages, the emergence of NEB-SMS, and how the socioeconomic and religious atmosphere of the country constrain SMSs. A greater demand is placed on ESL teachers to emphasize how style, context, purpose and audience determine linguistic choice. Also it is observed that the use of indigenous languages will lead to their development and seek relevance for them in the digital technology era.