SYNTACTIC AND LEXICO-SEMANTIC ANALYSES OF SELECTED SMS TEXT MESSAGES AMONG THE UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN STUDENTS

 ABSTRACT Words form the basis for a Linguistic analysis at any level of language study. The aim of this essay was to identify the various Lexical and Syntactic elements that make up personal text messages among the students of the University of Ilorin. Lexical features, Lexical relations, Word-formation processes and Word Sequences were employed to unravel the Lexical and Syntactic elements contained in selected text messages. Among the findings in the work were that nouns are the most prominent lexical features in the personal text messages of the students of the University of Ilorin, while adverbs are the least used lexical features in the composition of these messages. It was also discovered that most of the words that were used in composing the messages were created through the word-formation process of derivation and that simple sentences in the most used sentence sequences in these messages. The conclusion in the essay was that effective communication through personal text messages among the University of Ilorin students can be ensued, if the receivers of the messages take into cognizance the various Lexical and Syntactic elements identified in their interpretation.  
TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page                                                                                                                      Certification                                                                                                                        Dedication        Acknowledgement                                                                     Table of Contents                                                                                                                    List of Tables                                                                                                                  Abstract                                                                                                                                            
CHAPTER ONE GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction                                                                                                                 1.2 Statement of the Research Problem                                                                                            1.3 The Purpose of the Study                                                                                                     1.4 Scope of the Study                                                                                                           1.5 Justification of the study                                                                                                   1.6 Methodology                                                                                                                  1.7 Data Description                                                                                                             1.8 Summary                                                                                                                     
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction                                                                                                                     2.2 The Meaning of Lexis                                                                                                             2.3 Lexical Features                                                                                                                 2.4 Lexical Relations                                                                                                                2.5 Word-formation Processes                                                                                                         2.6 The Sequence of Words                                                                                                            2.7 A Brief Examination of Semantics                                                                                                 2.8 Lexico-semantics                                                                                                                 2.9 SMS Text Messaging in Nigeria                                                                                                    2.10 Summary                                                                                                                          CHAPTER THREE DATA ANALYSIS 3.1 Introduction                                                                                                                     3.2 Lexical Features                                                                                                                 3.3 Lexical Relations                                                                                                                3.4 Word-formation Processes                                                                                                         3.5 Sequence of Words
CHAPTER FOUR DISCUSSION 4.1 Summary                                                                                           4.2 Findings                                                                                                                         4.3 Conclusion                                                                                                                                                  REFERENCES                                                                                                                           APPENDIX                                                                                                                               INTRODUCTION Communication through an effective use of language is a tool that makes a good human relationship. Human beings are considered higher animals because of their ability to communicate effectively through the use of language. Language as a tool for effective communication is the most important part of a human being that makes him different from animals, Adedimeji (2005,p.1). As a result of this great role language plays in a man’s life, language is studied at five major levels in linguistics (Tomori,1977,p.21 as cited by Adedimeji,2005,p.1). These levels are Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics and Pragmatics. Words are very essential in every level of language analysis.   A Lexeme as defined by Crystal (2008) is “a term used by some linguists to refer to the minimal distinctive unit in the semantic system of a language”.  Crystal (2008) also defined Semantics as “a major branch of linguistics devoted to the study of meaning in a language”. Lexico-semantics therefore combines both the meaning of ‘Lexemes’ and ‘Semantics’. It originated from the linguistic fields of Lexicology and Semantics. Lexico-semantics as a subfield of Semantics addresses words and their meanings. It investigates the daily use of words among interactants with the aim of effective communication. Lexico-semantics deals with the relationship that exists between words, their meanings and the messages they convey.  SMS is a short message service that allows information to be passed across from one person to another, over a network at a particular rate. SMS is used as an abbreviation for all types of short text messaging in many parts of the world. SMS text messaging is one medium of communication that has found its way into the system of communication over the past few years. It is one technological device that its use is fast growing over a wide range in the whole of Africa and even the globe.
Communication through SMS is done by no other means but by the use of words. Lexemes are used to facilitate the effectiveness of this device. The effectiveness of this medium of communication depends on the appropriate combination of the words it carries, and in the combination of these words lies what is known as the message. Therefore, the relationship that exists between Lexico-semantics and SMS text messaging is effective communication, which is made possible through an appropriate combination of words into text messages.
From the foregoing, this work aims to investigate and identify the processes involved in the creation of these words, the various lexical relations and features that exist among the words that make up text messages. This will enhance a better interpretation and prevent misinterpretations among participants.