Pragmatic Functions of Stance Markers in Selected Facebook Interactions on the 2023 Fuel Subsidy Removal in Nigeria

This study examined pragmatic functions of stance markers deployed in Facebook comments on the 2023 fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. It purposively selected and analysed fifteen Facebook posts, with ten comments selected from each post, using Du Bois’ (2007) Stance Triangle and Martin and White’s (2005) Appraisal Theory as analytical frameworks. Three main categories of stance markers were identified, namely: self-mention, attitudinal markers and hedges. Self-mention enabled the commenters to explicitly position themselves individually and from a collective standpoint, attitudinal markers on the other hand, were used to express alignment and disalignment, while hedges moderated the force of their statement in relation to the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on the citizens. Pragmatically, these linguistic resources deployed by the commenters function to express dissatisfaction and expose eco-economic realities of the fuel subsidy removal, demand accountability in governance, reinforce the depth of corruption in Nigeria as well as evoke the power of media voice to change the narrative. The study submits that Facebook significantly facilitates Nigerians’ linguistic engagement on issues of national importance.