Lexical inquest of Genzer's Phenomenal Lingo and Language Deportment in Facebook

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The youth use Facebook in most aspects of their daily routine since it facilitates immediacy and ease of expression. This provoked the researcher to understand what underlies the creative language and audacious expression in Facebook. Generation Z are referred to as GenZers in this study.

METHODS

GenZers' posts and conversations on Facebook were investigated by the triangulation method: textual analysis, questionnaire, and observation. The researcher requested four interpreters to validate the research findings.

RESULTS

GenZers' lingos in Facebook were formed through omission, addition, and substitution. Although interjection emerged to be widely used by GenZers, the study also revealed that like any other words in the dictionary, their words and terms depended from context to context when it comes to lexical categories. Further scrutiny revealed that GenZers' phenomenal lingos were internet slang, gay lingo, and "pabebe" expressions. GenZers' language deportment showed that the platform was used for self-disclosure, social relationship, and social awareness. Recurring themes of self-disclosure revealed their feelings, temperaments, point of views, and interests.

DISCUSSIONS

When GenZers talk to their fellow GenZers, they use a language that is common among them and understood by their group to signify affinity. Facebook played a vital role for GenZers to self-disclose as revealed by the recurring themes of self-disclosure on their posts.