The Influence of Social Media on the Development of Slang among EFL Students
Published: 7/7/2025
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the impact of social media on the development of slang usage among EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students, specifically focusing on sixth-semester students in the English Language Education Department at FKIP UHAMKA. Using semi-structured interviews with five participant EFL students, the study explores the types of slang encountered on social media platforms and how these platforms shape students' understanding, usage, and attitudes toward slang. The findings reveal that platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and X expose students to a wide variety of English slang, which they often integrate into their online and offline communication. Students view slang as an important aspect of modern communication, enabling them to stay updated with global trends and express identity, though some still prioritize formal grammar for academic purposes. The study concludes that social media acts as an informal learning environment that significantly supports language acquisition, especially in informal registers, and highlights the need for educators to balance formal instruction with awareness of contemporary language use.
Full Text PDF
Document Preview
References
[1]Allan, K. &. (2006). Forbidden Words: Taboo and the Censoring of Language. Vol. 11.Auxier, B. a. (2021). Social Media Use in 2021. Pew Research Center , 1-6.Azhari, T. J. (2024). The Impact of Social Media Usage on Social English Among Generation Z: A Literature Review. Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial, 264–69.Bucholtz, M. a. (2005). Identity and Interaction: A Sociocultural Linguistic Approach. Discourse Studies 7(4-5), 585–614. doi:10.1177/1461445605054407.Capriotti, P. C. (2022). Exploring Interactivity Strategies in Social Media Communications of Leading Universities: A Cross-Continental Study. SAGE Open 14(2), 1–13. doi:10.1177/21582440241259399.Creswell., J. W. (2016). Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches.
[2]Crystal, D. (2003). Language Choices: Political and Economic Factors in Three European States.Dembe, T. (2024). The Impact of Social Media on Language Evolution. European Journal of Linguistics 3(3). doi:10.47941/ejl.2049Godwin-Jones, R. (2015 ). Contributing, Creating, Curating: Digital Literacies for Language Learners. Language Learning and Technology 19(3), 8-20.Gumperz, J. J. (1982 ). Studies in Interactional Sociolinguistics 1 Discourse Strategies. Discourse 237.Herlina, L. E. (2024). The Influence of Social Media on Language Evolution: A Linguistic Analysis of Emerging Internet Slang. 190-198.Jackson, O. (2023). The Influence of Social Media on Language Change and Development. Frontiers of Language and Communication Studies 5(1), 1-10. doi:10.69610/j.flcs.20230314.Jenkins, J. B. ( 2017). Jenkins, J., Baker, W., & Dewey, M. 2017. The Routledge Handbook of English as a Lingua Franca.Kadwa, M. S. (2020). The Impact of Students’ Proficiency in English on Science Courses in a Foundation Year Program. International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation (IJLLT), 55-67. doi: 10.32996/ijlltKamilevich, A. A. (2023). LINGUISTIC AND SOCIAL FEATURES OF SLANG. Proceedings of Scientific Conference on Multidisciplinary Studies 2(6 SE-Articles), 1-7.Kaplan, A. M. (2010). Users of the World, Unite! The Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media. Business Horizons 53(1), 59–68. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2009.09.003Keidar, D. A. (2022). Slangvolution: A Causal Analysis of Semantic Change and Frequency Dynamics in Slang.Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics. doi:10.18653/v1/2022.acl-long.101.Kurniati, E. (2021). The Use of Slang on EFL Students’ Instagram Statuses: Do They Perceive It Essential? 542(Ancosh 2020), 9-106.Labov, W. (1972). Sociolinguistic Patterns.University of Pennsylvania Press: Libgen. Li.Mahardika, F. (2023 ). The Impact of Social Media on the Use of English Slang. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, Dan Pendidikan Dasar (SENSASEDA) 3(1), 87-90.Manurung, J. M. (2022). Exploring the Impact of Slang Usage Among Students on WhatsApp: A Dig-Ital Linguistic Analysis. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Dan Humaniora 11(2 SE-Articles), 153–69. doi:10.35335/jiph.v11i2.21Nation, P. a. (2014). Applying the Four Strands to Language Learning. In Moving TESOL beyond the Comfort Zone: Exploring Criticality in TESOL 1(2(pp. 26-112).Odoom, D. L.-S. (2025). Unveiling the Social Media Landscape: Exploring Factors Influencing Usage Patterns among Tertiary Education Students in Ghana. Education and Information Technologies 30(3), 83-3861. doi:10.1007/s10639-024-12944-0
[3]Panjaitan, L. L. (2024). Social Media and Language Evolution: The Impact of Digital Communication on Language Change. International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation 7(12 SE-Research Article), 53-57. doi:10.32996/ijllt.2024.7.12.8Richards, J. C. (2010). Longman Language Ang Applide Linguistic Person.Rustemovna, S. E. (2023). Analysis of the Use of Slang and Jargon in English. 217-225.Saputra, D. V. (2023). “Expressions of the Use of Slang among Millennial Youth on Social Media and Its Impact of the Extension of Indonesia in Society. Bahastra 43(1), 1-40. doi:10.26555/bs.v43i1.325/bs.v43i1.325.Saputra, D. V. (2023). Expressions of the Use of Slang among Millennial Youth on Social Media and Its Impact of the Extension of Indonesia in Society. Bahastra 43(1), 21–40. doi:10.26555/bs.v43i1.325Saputra, R. S. (2023). Development and Impact of Slang Use on Instagram Social Media among Teenagers and Society: A Case Study of Indonesians in the Digital Era. International Journal of Linguistics, Communication, and Broadcasting,1-3.Smith, E. B. (2020). Annual Review of Sociology. Social Networks and Cognition 46, 74-159. doi:10.1146/annurev-soc-121919-054736.Sri Indra, a. M. (2024). An Analysis of Slang Words Used in Social Media (Instagram). RETORIKA: Jurnal Ilmu Bahasa 10(2 SE-Articles), 52-347. doi:10.55637/jr.10.2.9710.347-352.Thorne, S. L. ( 2006. ). Disinventing and Reconstituting Languages. In A Linguistics of Communicative Activity.(pp. 95-170).Zainal, Z. a. (n.d.). Social Media and Its Influence on Vocabulary and Language Learning: A Case Study. European Journal of Education Studies 7(11), 1-18. doi:10.46827/ejes. v7i11.3331.Zhuang, W. Q. (2023). What Makes User-Generated Content More Helpful on Social Media Platforms? Insights from the Creator Interactivity Perspective. Information Processing & Management, 60. doi:10.1016/j.ipm.2022.103201.