SEMANTICS AND COMMUNICATION FUNCTIONS OF SELECTED SLANG EXPRESSIONS ON BIG BROTHER NAIJA
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Date
2026-07-30
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OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY
Abstract
Keywords: Slang, BBN, Meaning, Young Communication, Communication Strategies and Pragmatics
Description
This study investigates the pragmatic and contextual dimensions of slang expressions in selected Big Brother Naija (BBN) interactions. Studies have largely focused on its moral, cultural, and behavioural effects. Meanwhile, limited attention has been paid to the communicative functions of the slang expressions used by housemates. Consequently, this study examines communicative resources in selected slang expressions used by BBN housemates.
The study adopted a qualitative research design. This is rooted in discourse-pragmatic analysis. Data for the study consisted of twenty selected slang expressions. These were purposively drawn from BBN Seasons 4, 5, 6, and the All-Stars edition. The expressions were purposively selected from spontaneous interactions sourced through YouTube clips, TikTok videos, and digital media platforms. The study employed observation and transcription as instruments for data collection. Meanwhile, contextual discourse analysis was used as the analytical method. The theoretical framework combined Speech Act Theory and Relevance Theory.
The findings reveal that BBNaija slang expressions display considerable structural diversity. They comprise Nigerian Pidgin-based construction, borrowed lexical items from indigenous languages (e.g., Mafo, Opor), metaphorical expressions (e.g., Chop breakfast, Pepper dem, We die here), clause-based constructions (e.g., You dey find my mouth, Shine ya eyes, Who dey breet?), and hybrid expressions (e.g., Gen Z baddie). The study further shows that housemates employ a range of communicative strategies to achieve different interactional goals. The analysis also demonstrates that the meanings of these expressions are highly context-dependent. Additionally, they cannot be derived from their literal forms. Furthermore, the study establishes that interactional and socio-cultural contexts shape interpretation. Housemates construct identities, negotiate interpersonal relationships, express emotions, manage conflict, create humour, intensify dramatic moments, and sustain audience engagement within the BBNaija reality television environment. This is through these slang expressions.
The study concludes that slang expressions in BBN function as sophisticated communicative and socio-cultural resources. Therefore, the study contributes to scholarship in pragmatics, sociolinguistics, media discourse, and Nigerian popular culture.
Keywords: Slang, BBN, Meaning, Young Communication, Communication Strategies and Pragmatics
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Citation
KOLADE, C.D. (2026). Semantics and Communication Functions of Selected Slang Expressions on Big Brother Naija. [Master's Dissertation] repository.oouagoiwoye.edu.ng