Abstract

The use of language in social media platforms, particularly in the context of tantrums, has emerged as a significant area of investigation in discourse and sociolinguistic studies. This is attributed to the diverse discourse strategies that unfold in social media communication, particularly within the Nigerian context. This study investigates the various face acts, including face-threatening acts, employed in X tantrum discourse among Nigerian users. Data comprised twenty purposively sampled tweets among Nigerians who have X accounts. Data were subjected to pragmatic analysis, within the purview of face act theory. Findings reveal that sarcasm, pointed criticism, boasting, humour, verbal aggression, challenge and accusation are face (threatening) acts that characterise tantrum discourse among Nigerians on X. The study shows that X interactions among Nigerians largely feature positive and negative face projections, often aimed at asserting and constructing self as knowledgeable, smart and witty; and the negative construction of the other as undeserving of their achievements, successes, essentially ridiculing their actions, personality, and position on issues. In sum, the study reveals that the social media, especially X, serves as a veritable platform for Nigerians to discursively engage one another on the various social, economic, and political issues in the country and central to these interactional engagements is the notion of face, which could either be saved or threatened. Suffice therefore to say that virtual interactions, more like physical ones, are replete with face risk, face loss, and face-saving strategies.