Social Media English in Nigeria and the New Crime Wave

Abstract

This study explores the social media English in Nigeria and the new crime wave. Utilizing the theoretical frameworks of systemic functional linguistics and forensic linguistics, the study adopts a qualitative data analysis approach to examine the linguistic devices used in the portrayal of criminal activities. The research delves into the language of crime, reviewing related literature and analyzing selected posts for their use of specific linguistic devices. These devices include slang and code words, metaphors and euphemisms, sensational headlines, and biased language. The study reveals that these linguistic devices play a crucial role in the construction and perception of criminal activities on social media platforms. Slang and code words, for instance, often serve as a form of coded communication among criminals, while metaphors and euphemisms are used to downplay the severity of criminal acts or to disguise illegal activities. Sensational headlines and biased language, on the other hand, can influence public opinion and perpetuate stereotypes about crime and criminals. This study contributes to the understanding of how language is used in the context of crime on social media platforms, offering valuable insights for law enforcement agencies, policy makers, and researchers in the fields of linguistics and criminology. It underscores the need for further research in this area, particularly in the era of digital communication where language plays a pivotal role in shaping societal narratives about crime.