Pragmatic Dynamics of Some Foregrounded Computer Lexical Items in Nigerian Youth Discourse

Abstract

This study set out to investigate instances of foregrounded computer lexical items in discourse, with the aim to examine their underlying contextual usage among some youth in Nigeria. The pragmatic dynamics of such foregrounded lexical items constitute the focus of the analysis. The pragmatic approach of conversational implicature was adopted as the theoretical framework for this study. The methodology adopted for this research was the qualitative approach. The research findings revealed that the conceptual meanings of the foregrounded computer lexical items were shifted to transcend their denotations such as to generate dependence on contextual forces for appropriate interpretation. Furthermore, it was observed that contextual factors triggered both the encoding and decoding of the deviation-type foregrounded computer lexical items. Propitiously, the notion of conversational implicature provides us with an explanation of utterance interpretation, in consonance with pragmatic norms, and consequently prevent breakdown in communication, which could be caused by deviation-type foregrounding. Based on the findings of this research, further studies on foregrounding as it relates to transfer of registers and their contextual implications are strongly recommended.