Language Evolution in Digital Spaces: Indonesian Slang and Social Identity Among Gen Z TikTok Users

Abstract

This study explores the forms and meanings of Indonesian slang as a linguistic variation within a sociolinguistic framework, focusing on its use among Gen Z teenagers on TikTok. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through observation and note-taking of slang words and phrases appearing in TikTok videos and analysed using data reduction, presentation, and conclusion-drawing techniques. The analysis identified 45 instances of slang usage, consisting of 12 humorous mispronunciations, 24 abbreviations, four shortened forms, and five interjections. These findings reveal that Gen Z employs slang not only for linguistic efficiency but also as a semiotic practice—where words, sounds, and playful distortions function as signs that construct social affiliation, identity, and digital self-expression. Examples such as “gabut”, “bacot”, “FOMO”, “tobrut”, and humorous mispronunciations like “sungguh herman” illustrate how slang operates as symbolic markers of group solidarity, cultural awareness, and generational distinction. The dominance of creative forms underscores slang’s role as both a sign system of generational identity and a strategy for gaining social visibility in competitive online spaces. By situating slang within semiotic processes of signification, this study contributes to understanding language evolution in digital contexts and offers insights for educators, content moderators, and policymakers into the dynamic interplay between youth culture, technology, and linguistic innovation.