Olaleye, Joel Iyiola2026-04-292026-04-292018Olaleye, J. I. (2018). Lexical Choices as a Reflector of Socio-religious Affiliation. In E. O. Ogungbe & M. N. Agu (Eds). New Explorations in Applied Linguistics and Literature. Published by Department of English, IBB University Lapai.https://uilspace.unilorin.edu.ng/handle/123456789/17837Sociolinguistic theories such as Social Identity Theory and the Theory of Act of Identity have provided theoretical supports to the fact that language has the potency to reveal its users' social identities. The present study was designed to attest this view by investigating how 100 respondents used language resources to signal their religious affiliations. Two optional essay topics based on moral issues were administered to the 100 respondents who were students of Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi. The respondents were evenly and purposively selected from the two major religions in Nigeria (Christianity and Islam). The results indicated that the respondents used allusion from the Holy Scriptures (the Bible and the Quran); and this pattern of linguistic choice helped to isolate the Christian respondents from the Muslim respondents. It was also discovered that certain lexical items which are unique expressions of each religion were used by the respondents to create socio-religious bonds with their audience. Also, it was discovered that some expressions used by the respondents are reflections of their respective religion's world-views or doctrinal position on moral issues. The study concluded that the choice of linguistic elements is capable of revealing the users' social and religious identity.