Abstract
This paper examines the use of neologisms, jargons, and emerging terminologies amongyouths in Kano State. The study aims to analyze selected lexical innovations and expressions commonly employed by young people in various social environments. The research adopts the Metaphor Theory proposed by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) as its theoretical framework for analyzing the meanings and functions of these expressions. A qualitative research design is employed, utilizing a descriptive-analytic approach to collect, analyze, and interpret linguistic data obtained from selected speech communities. The study focuses on how youths create and use novel expressions to facilitate communication, express identity, and convey meanings that differ from their conventional interpretations. It further investigates the relationship between source and target domains in the formation and interpretation of these neologisms. The findings reveal that youths employ distinctive linguistic strategies in their interactions, often assigning new meanings to existing words and creating innovative expressions to suit specific communicative needs. The study also demonstrates that these lexical innovations are influenced by the social environments in which they occur. Such environments include police stations, homes, mobile phone markets, 'yangwanjo (second-hand goods markets), drug-selling locations, motor parks, and transportation hubs within Hausa-speaking communities in Kano State. The paper concludes that neologisms constitute an important aspect of youth language, reflecting social identity, creativity, cultural experiences, and evolving communicative practices among young speakers.
Keywords: Neologisms, Youth Language, Jargons, Terminologies, Lexical Innovation, Metaphor Theory, Kano State, Hausa Speech Community.
DOI: 10.36349/sojolics.2026.v02i02.021
author/Garba, M. I., & Mohammed, U.
journal/Sokoto JOLICS 2(2) | August 2026 |
