SMS Text-Messaging and the Nigerian Christian Context: Constructing Values and Sentiments

dc.creatorChiluwa, Innocent
dc.date2008
dc.date.accessioned2025-03-06T11:49:07Z
dc.descriptionThe Global System of Mobile Communications (GSM) in Nigeria brought with it a variety of English that is situationally distinct and context sensitive. Thus SMS text-messages are viewed as discourses that presuppose speech events among interlocutors that share a common social behaviour and cultural values. This study shows the extent to which test-messaging constructs Christian values, belief systems and sentiments in Nigeria. Fifty-three (53) text samples collected in Lagos and Ota areas of Southwest Nigeria between 2005 and 2007 are analysed within the framework of computer-mediated discourse analysis (Herring 2001). Result shows that with its peculiar orthographic convention and style, text-messaging has become popular among Christian adherents not just because it is short, cheap and fast but that it is individualistic and fits well into a context where respect for individuals is emphasized. Analysis also shows that SMS text-messaging is used to disseminate messages associated with faith-based pronouncements, prayer and well-wishing, admonition and assurance, appreciation and praise, seasons greetings and general information/announcements. These functions tend to promote love and cooperation among church members. Key words: SMS-text messages, Christian, Discourse Introduction The
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierhttp://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/845/
dc.identifier.urihttp://itsupport.cu.edu.ng:4000/handle/123456789/29345
dc.languageen
dc.subjectP Philology. Linguistics
dc.titleSMS Text-Messaging and the Nigerian Christian Context: Constructing Values and Sentiments
dc.typeArticle

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