THE USE of Gen Z Slang: Forms and Functions in Social Media

Putra, M. Ghaza Tri (2026) THE USE of Gen Z Slang: Forms and Functions in Social Media. Diploma thesis, Politekinik Negeri Sriwijaya.

	Text (COVER) COVER.pdf Download (645kB)
Preview	Text (ABSTRAK) ABSTRAK.pdf Download (148kB) | Preview
	Text (BAB I PENDAHULUAN) BAB I.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (152kB) | Request a copy
	Text (BAB II TINJAUAN PUSTAKA) BAB II.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (205kB) | Request a copy
	Text (BAB III RANCANG BANGUN) BAB III.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (140kB) | Request a copy
	Text (BAB IV PEMBAHASAN) BAB IV.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (892kB) | Request a copy
	Text (BAB V KESIMPULAN) BAB V.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (103kB) | Request a copy
	Text (DAFTAR PUSTAKA) DAFTAR PUSTAKA.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (174kB) | Request a copy
	Text (LAMPIRAN) LAMPIRAN.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (3MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

This study aims to identify the forms and functions of Gen Z slang used on social media, specifically on Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter). As digital communication continues to reshape everyday language, Generation Z has developed a distinctive way of speaking online that often departs from standard English, raising the question of whether this style follows any systematic pattern. This study addresses two research questions: (1) what forms of Gen Z slang are used in social media, and (2) what functions do these slang terms serve. The forms were analyzed using Yule's (2020) theory of word-formation processes, while the functions were analyzed using Allan and Burridge's (2006) theory of social motivations behind slang use. This study employed a qualitative method with covert observation and simple random sampling technique (Arikunto, 2021) to select the data. From 150 screenshots collected across the three platforms, twenty-three data were selected as the final sample, consisting of seven data from Instagram, nine from X (Twitter), and seven from Facebook. The findings show that Gen Z slang in this study is constructed through five word-formation processes: clipping (34.8%), coinage (26.1%), acronym (21.7%), compounding (13.0%), and blending (4.3%), with clipping being the most dominant. In terms of function, the data reveal six of the seven functions proposed by Allan and Burridge (2006): to express impression (43.5%), to reveal anger or emotion (21.7%), to humiliate or criticize (13.0%), to form an intimate atmosphere (8.7%), to initiate a relaxed conversation (8.7%), and to show solidarity (4.3%); only the function to address did not appear. These findings indicate that Gen Z slang on social media is not random or meaningless, but follows systematic linguistic patterns that serve specific social purposes. Keywords: english slang, forms and functions, gen z, social media, thematic analysis

Item Type:	Thesis (Diploma)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	english slang, forms and functions, gen z, social media, thematic analysis
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PE English
Divisions:	English > Undergraduate Theses
Depositing User:	Pustaka Bahasa
Date Deposited:	06 Aug 2026 08:57
Last Modified:	06 Aug 2026 08:57
URI:	http://eprints.polsri.ac.id/id/eprint/24084

Actions (login required)

View Item