PRESUPPOSITIONS AND COMMON GROUNDS IN THE LANGUAGE OF SPORT COLUMNS IN SELECTED NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS
Abstract
Abstract
This study examines the use of pragmemes in Nigerian sports journalism, focusing on how language is strategically employed to shape meaning and influence audience interpretation. By analyzing articles from major 2024 newspapers, the research adopts Mey’s Pragmatic Acts Theory as its framework, highlighting the interplay between the activity and textual components of pragmemes. The study explores communicative strategies such as informative, expressive, directive, and conversational acts, alongside contextual elements like shared situational knowledge (SSK), relevance (REL), and metaphor (MPH). These features build shared assumptions and emotional resonance between writers and readers, fostering engagement and cultural connection. Findings reveal that the integration of pragmemes in sports reporting enhances interpretive depth and reflects socio-cultural narratives, offering valuable insights into how journalists can strengthen audience relationships through contextually rich and meaning-driven narratives. The study concludes with implications for advancing reader engagement and cultural identity in sports journalism.
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