The particular dialect or language that a person chooses to use on any occasion is called a code 2925 Copyright © 2024 The Author IDEAS is licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0 License Issued by English study program of IAIN Palopo IDEAS Journal of Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) Volume 12, Number 2, December 2024 pp. 2925 - 2935 Slang Words in Comments From People on Elon Musk's X Account Shafira Husnul Khotimah1, Ice Sariyati2, Erfan Muhammad Fauzi3 1,2,3English Literature, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati, Bandung E-mail: shafirahusnulkhotimah23@gmail.com Received: 2024-09-20 Accepted:2025-02-08 DOI: 10.2456/ideas. v12i2.5606 Abstract Slang is an informal type of language often used in everyday communication, especially on social media. Meanwhile, X, a popular social media platform, features many comments that frequently use slang words in its threads. Thus, this study aimed to classify the types of slang word formation and the functions of slang words found in comments on X. The theoretical framework for this study included Yule's (2010) theory on types of slang words and Zhou and Fan's (2013) theory on the functions of slang expressions. The research employed a descriptive qualitative method. The data were taken from comments by users on Elon Musk's X account, uploaded by Elon Musk from July to August 2023. The findings identified several types of word formation: 1) clipping (7 data), 2) derivation (6 data), 3) acronyms (4 data), 4) borrowing (4 data), 5) coinage (2 data), 6) compounding (1 data), and 7) multiple processes (1 data). Among the types of word formation analyzed, clipping was the most common type of slang word formation found, with 7 examples identified. The main function of slang words in these comments was to express user’s feelings, especially their disappointment with the rebranding of Twitter to X. This suggests that users use slang and word creation techniques in a variety of ways, demonstrating linguistic innovation and originality in online communication. Keywords: Comments, Elon Musk, Functions, People, Slang Words, Types, X Introduction Language is one of the most important communication tools in everyday life. Various kinds of information are usually conveyed using language, and this makes language development persistently accelerate as time goes on. Language development usually creates new vocabulary or new sentences that feel fresher and more up-to-date. http://u.lipi.go.id/1457703302 mailto:shafirahusnulkhotimah23@gmail.com1 Shafira Husnul Khotimah, Ice Sariyati, Erfan Fauzi Psychological Cognitive Development of the Main Character in Tangled (2010) Movie 2926 According to Allan & Burridge (2016 in Petrania, 2017), slang is a form of daily language, though it is considered inferior to informal language. Slang is an informal language that is not part of standard language, usually used by certain social groups to communicate in-depth, allowing members of outside groups to not understand it (Patridge 2004, in Petrania, 2017). In informal situations, slang words are often used. The use of slang words typically occurs when one communicates with their peers, as slang words are frequently used by those closest to them when sharing light information. Currently, slang words are not only used among peers but also appear in film conversations, songs, social media, etc. The use of slang words on social media, such as Twitter, often conveys the latest information to the audience, making slang words part of everyday conversations and informal communication. In this study, the researcher examined the influence of the use of slang words on Twitter. The previous reading about the use of slang words that the researcher first read was from Lutviana & Mafulah (2021), titled "The Use of Slang Words in Online Learning Context of EFL Class." This research aimed to find 32 slang words in both Indonesian and English. They found most slang words when students sent texts to their friends, expressed their feelings, addressed their friends by name, discussed lessons, responded to teachers' questions, and greeted the teacher. Another research was conducted by Wiyaka & Prastikawati (2021) titled "Word Formation Analysis Found in English Slangs Used by Justin Bieber on Instagram." They found seven out of ten types of word formation processes in English slang used by Justin Bieber in his Instagram captions. These processes included acronyms, blending, clipping, derivation, borrowinh, coinage, and multiple processes. Of the 47 data points, clipping was the most common type of formation process used on Justin Bieber's Instagram account. The third research was by Khoriah (2021), titled "An Analysis of Slang Words Used in The Social Network Movie." She observed 25 slang words, collected based on slang theory. The most used slang word formation process was clipping. The theory she used in analyzing slang words came from Yule and Allan & Burridge. The fourth research was by Yusuf, Fata, and Aini (2022), titled "'Gotchuu!': The Use of Slang in Social Media by Generation Z." They analyzed about used slang word from other in Whatsapp group, especially Generation Z from Indonesia. The theory they used was Allan & Burridge's (2006), and they found 50 slang words classified into seven functions: starting a relaxed conversation, expressing an impression, creating an intimate atmosphere, addressing, abusing others, humiliating, and expressing intimacy. The difference between the previous research and this study lies in the research theory and the object of study. This research aims to answer two key questions: what types of slang words are used on Elon Musk's X account, and what the functions of slang words are on Elon Musk's X account. This research was taken from comments people that were thrown on Elon Musk's X account. In this case, IDEAS, Vol. 12, No. 2, December 2024 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 2927 contains a lot of slang used to comment feelings of disappointment and annoyance regarding changes application from Twitter to X, some individuals also offer comment only to the extent of as a joke or sascartic remark to Elon Musk's X account. This study uses Yule's theory to examine the word formation process of slang terms on X, and Zhou and Fan's theory to examine the function of slang words on X. Furthermore, the object of study is different, as it examines the use of slang words on social media. The title of this research is "The Use of Slang Words: Comments from People on Elon Musk's X Account." Elon Musk is the owner of the Twitter application, which has now been rebranded to X. Changing the name of Twitter to X is very controversial, prompting many people to leave comments on Elon Musk's X account. The name change of the application occurred in the month of July 2023 and the comments made continued until the month of August 2023. Responses from users are varied, and they often use slang words when making jokes. The researcher is interested in selecting this object of study regarding slang words. Conceptual Framework 1. Sociolinguistics Sociolinguistics is a science that studies both sociology and linguistics. Sociolinguistics functions as a tool to communicate with the public. According to Spolsky (1998), sociolinguistics is the field that studies the relationship between language and society, between the uses of language and the social structure, and how people use language in their daily lives. According to Wardhaugh & Fuller (2021), language is a communal possession, but at the same time an abstract entity. Language can be used by everyone, but at certain times, it has its own uniqueness, especially when certain individuals change or modify specific words. The use of language continues to evolve with the emergence of new vocabulary, which makes language increasingly diverse. In sociolinguistics, the relationship between language and society is mutually supportive because language serves as a means of exchanging information in various ways. 2. Slang Slang is an informal form of language often used in specific social contexts and by particular language communities. It emerges as a way to express identity, create a sense of belonging, and distinguish one social group from another. For example, different age groups, professions, subcultures, or hobbyist communities may have their own slang terms that are only understood by their members. Slang is also dynamic and changes over time, reflecting social and cultural shifts. Shafira Husnul Khotimah, Ice Sariyati, Erfan Fauzi Psychological Cognitive Development of the Main Character in Tangled (2010) Movie 2928 In a social context, slang is often used to strengthen bonds between group members and add a casual or familiar tone to conversations. For instance, teenagers might use words like "lit" to describe something cool, or "sus" to suggest something suspicious. Within a language community, slang can indicate levels of familiarity and connection with certain cultures. For example, online gaming communities might use terms like "GG" (Good Game) or "noob" (beginner), which are widely understood by fellow gamers but may not be known outside that group. Slang also plays a crucial role in signaling identity and social standing, reflecting power dynamics and solidarity within a language community. In society, slang serves several key functions related to communication between individuals and within groups. Some of its main roles include: 1) Strengthening Group Bonds: Slang helps create a sense of belonging and familiarity among members of a particular social group. By using the same language, individuals signal that they are part of a community with shared experiences, values, or interests. 2) Signaling Social Identity: Slang is often used to express social or cultural identity. For example, teenagers, online communities, or subcultures may use slang to distinguish themselves from other groups. It helps create a distinction between "insiders" and "outsiders." 3) Efficient Communication: Slang tends to be brief and concise, allowing for faster and more efficient communication, especially among people who are already familiar with each other or share the same social background. 4) Emotional Expression and Creativity: Slang allows speakers to express emotions or viewpoints in a more expressive, humorous, or unconventional way compared to formal language. This can include humor, irony, or other forms of creative communication. In this study, Yule's theory (2010) was used to analyze the use of slang words in Elon Musk's Twitter account. According to Yule (2010), there are 10 types of slang, namely: a. Coinage, which is the formation of new terms usually taken from a brand. b. Borrowing, which is the type of word formation process where several languages are adopted. c. Compounding, which is the process of combining two different words to create a new word. d. Blending, which is a word formation process where a single word is generated by the fusion of two different words. e. Clipping, which is reducing lexemes from the word with more than one syllable to make it shorter. f. Back-formation, which is process of reduction to create a new term from an existing word, often changing the structure of the word. g. Conversion, which is the changing of the function of a word. IDEAS, Vol. 12, No. 2, December 2024 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 2929 h. Acronym, which is a word-forming process where new terms are produced by collecting the initial letters of some words. i. Derivation, which is the process by which a word is transformed into a new word by the addition of affixes. j. Multiple processes, which is the creation of new words through more than one process. This study also used Zhou and Fan's theory (2013) to analyze the functions of slang words. According to this theory, the functions are: a. Pursuit of Self-Identify, where different social groups have their own slang, and it serves as a symbol for any group with unique slang words. b. Emotive Feeling of the Slang Users, where slang reveals the speaker’s emotional expression, and this function is one of the most powerful uses of language because it can change emotional states. c. Achieving Politeness, which refers to specific manners of speaking or writing used in communication. This study described the importance of the theories mentioned above in understanding the two main research questions. The first question was "What are the types of word formation processes of slang words in comments from people on Elon Musk's account?" This study focused on analyzing the types of slang words using Yule's theory (2010). The second question was "What are the functions of slang words in comments from people on Elon Musk's X account?" This study examined and found the functions using Zhou and Fan's theory (2013). Method In this research, the researcher uses descriptive qualitative research because the data were analyzed in the form of written and spoken words rather than numbers. According to Rahi (2017), qualitative research is an approach to collect data on a particular topic in detail. This approach usually assumes a representative from a single person, such as the feelings and emotions of a group or individual, as data. It is typically used by the interpretive approach. This research used descriptive qualitative methods aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the slang language found on Elon Musk's X account. The data source used in this study was written data taken from social media. The data were replies to posts by users of social media accounts such as X in response to posts from Elon Musk. There were several steps in collecting data for analysis: searching the data, reading the comments posted on Elon Musk's X account, capturing them, and finally classifying the types of slang words and their functions. Shafira Husnul Khotimah, Ice Sariyati, Erfan Fauzi Psychological Cognitive Development of the Main Character in Tangled (2010) Movie 2930 Results and Discussion Language becomes a tool for interaction and continues to develop, following the times and trends that never stop. This study examines the types of slang words used on social media and the functions of slang words, specifically comments from people on Elon Musk's X account. In this study adopts theory from Yule's (2010) for examine the types of slang words and theory Zhou and Fan's (2013) for examine the function of slang words. Based on the analysis of slang words used by comments from people on Elon Musk's X account during July to August 2023, the following is the analysis of each type of slang word formation and the functions of slang words: Type of Slang Words a. Clipping Clipping is the process of shortening lexemes from words with more than one syllable. From the data, there were some examples of the clipping process in word formation by comments from people on Elon Musk's X account: (1) Digital coins are real tho | @binance (2) Sike! | @melcampos501 In example (1), the word "tho" is a slang word that refers to "though". The purpose of forming slang words starts from original words which are changed to short forms to create new words. This can be called the clipping process. In another example, in (2) the word "sike" can be categorized as clipping because "sike" comes from the word "psyhce". ⚫ The function of the slang words above was emotive feeling, as the comment were reactions to the post on Elon Musk's X account. The word "sike" is a term similar to curse word used to reply to posts on Elon Musk's X account. Similarly, the word "tho" is a form of sarcasm, indicating disagreement with the name change of the X application. b. Acronym An acronym is a word-forming process in which new terms are produced by collecting the initial letters of some words. This type of slang words also appears on Elon Musk's X account from people’s comment. Here is an example: (3) Fr? | @Noahhweb3 (4) Lol! | @KamuAnimeS1 In example (3), the meaning of "fr" is "for real". This word can be classified as an acronym process because it is taken from the initials of the words "for real". In example (4), the word of "lol" means "laugh out loud". It is called an acronym because it collects the initial letters of some words. ⚫ The function of the slang words above was emotive feeling, as the comment were reactions to posts on Elon Musk's X account. The word "fr" indicates whether the name of Twitter application has really been changed to an IDEAS, Vol. 12, No. 2, December 2024 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 2931 application called X. While the word "lol" is an expression that suggests the name change of this application feels like a joke. c. Compounding Compounding is a process by which two distinc terms are joined to create a new term. In this section, several words were found in people's comments on Elon Musk X account posts. Here are examples: (5) These seagulls are a glitch in the matrix | @chase_the_high (6) New timeline for all | @RG_Ponx In example (5), the comment above includes a slang word from the compounding process. There are two words that are combine into one and form a new word. like the word "sea" and the word "gull" which combine to make "seagull". In example (6), the word "timeline" is included in the compounding process because it combines two different words, namely "time" and "line", which then becomes one new word "timeline". The ccompounding process causes two words with different meanings to merge and produce a new word with a new meaning. ⚫ The function of the slang words above was emotive feeling, as the comment were reactions to posts on Elon Musk's X account. The word "seagull" in the comment above indicates that the change name Twitter application is just a joke, as it started has bird logo changing to the X logo. In contrast, the word "timeline" is a comment indicating that the latesr news regarding the name change of the X application is populating the user's feed. d. Borrowing Borrowing is a type of word formation. Words are borrowed from other languages. The borrowing process can be found in one of the comment on Elon Musk’s X account. Here is an example: (7) In germany we call it fogel | @sech28 (8) They’re really drones? | @_lovablecurves In example (7), the word fogel is adopted from “Vogel”, which is the German term for "bird." Therefore, the sentence contains a slang word that is categorized as borrowing, as it is a word adopted from another language, in this case, German. In example (8), the word drones refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle and is derived from the German word "Drunjus." The word "drone" is included in the borrowing process because it originates from German and is adopted into English. ⚫ The function of the slang words above was emotive feeling, as the comment were reactions to posts on Elon Musk's X account. The word "fogel" and "drone" serve as metaphors for the logo of the X application, which was previously shaped like a bird and has now changed to an "X", which is considered very Shafira Husnul Khotimah, Ice Sariyati, Erfan Fauzi Psychological Cognitive Development of the Main Character in Tangled (2010) Movie 2932 different from before. e. Coinage Coinage is a word formation process of creating new words, often by creating trade names for goods and utilizing them in everyday speech. This process can be found in one of the comment on Elon Musk’s X account. Here is an example: (9) Reckon the phrase "I heard it on the X" has a whole new meaning... | @Joe7993 (10) Yup! .. I clocked it too, Musky… | @Hey_Nice_Marmot In example (9), "X" is included as coinage because it refers to something new or specific that did not exist before, such as "Twitter", which is now known as "X". In example (10), "Musky" as a nickname for Elon Musk falls under coinage, as it is a new term created based on a person's name. ⚫ The function of the slang words above was emotive feeling, as the comments were reactions to posts on Elon Musk's X account. The word "X" and "Musky" are terms of reference that can serve as a form of satire for Elon Musk. f. Derivation Derivation is a word formation process that creates new words by changing the form of the base or by adding affixes to it. This process can be found in one of the comment on Elon Musk’s X account. Here is an example: (11) “X” connotes an unknown & confusion. | @ConservativeTht (12) Yup! .. I clocked it too, Musky…When I deduced the consistency and color of so called “ birdroppings” is exactly the same as 5 parts aspartame to one part fluoridated H20.. It can’t be a co-incidence that they also both taste the same in coffee And that I feel equally stupid after consuming both .. | @Hey_Nice_Marmot In example (11), the comment contains derivation, with "Connotes" coming from the root "connote" with the addition of the suffix "-s" to show the present tense. And "Confusion" comes from the root "confuse" with the addition of the suffix "-ion". In example (12), there are several words that contain Derivation word formation process, among others: • "Consistency" comes from the root "consistent" with the addition of the suffix "-cy". • "Deduced" comes from the root "deduce" with the addition of the suffix "- ed". • "Fluoridated" comes from the root "fluoride" with the addition of the suffix "-ed". • "Consuming" comes from the root "consume" with the addition of the "-ing" suffix. IDEAS, Vol. 12, No. 2, December 2024 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 2933 ⚫ The function of the slang words above was emotive feeling, as the comment were reactions to posts on Elon Musk's X account. The comments above represent an expression of disappointment and dislike regarding the application name update, leading to a large number of comments conveying these feelings. g. Multiple Processes Multiple processes involve the createe one more procedure into create a new word. This process can be found in one of the comment on Elon Musk’s X account. Here is an example: (13) ...When I deduced the consistency and color of so called “ birdroppings” is exactly the same as 5 parts aspartame to one part fluoridated H20... | @Hey_Nice_Marmot This word is the result of multiple processes as it involves a combination of "compounding" between “bird” and “dropping” and "derivation" (as "droppings" comes from the root "drop" with the addition of the suffix "-ing"). ⚫ The functionn of the slang words above was emotive feeling, as the comment were reactions to posts on Elon Musk's X account. The word "birdroppings" is used sarcastically to refer to X application. From the result of the analysis above, it can be seen that there are several types of the word-formation process for slang words used in comments on Elon Musk's X account. These include clipping, compounding acronym, derivation, borrowing, coinage, and multiple processes. The functions of slang words above are Emotive Feeling of Slang Users. Comparing this study with other similar studies, such as those by Lutviana & Mafulah (2021), Wiyaka & Prastikawati (2021), Khoriah (2021), and Yusuf, Fata, Aini (2022), it is evident that the use of slang words varies based on the context and the platform. While previous studies focused on online learning, Instagram captions, movie scripts, and WhatsApp groups, this study specifically examines comments on the popular social media platform, X. Despite the differences in the subjects and sources of data, there are similarities in the types of slang words found, such as clipping and derivation. This suggests that certain word-formation processes are commonly used across different platforms. The role of slang in the transition of the X application is reflected in the many comments directed at Elon Musk. Slang allows users to express their feelings in a more relatable and informal manner, creating a sense of community and shared sentiment. This informal language not only captures the emotional reactions of users but also highlights the cultural context surrounding the application's rebranding. By utilizing slang, users can effectively communicate their opinions, Shafira Husnul Khotimah, Ice Sariyati, Erfan Fauzi Psychological Cognitive Development of the Main Character in Tangled (2010) Movie 2934 making their feedback more impactful and resonant. The limitations of the research on the changes to the application X account include time constraints and the rapidly shifting trends in social media. These factors make it difficult to gather comprehensive data and fully understand user reactions. Additionaly, the past-faced nature of trends means that findings may quickly become outdate, affecting the relevance and applicability of the research Conclusion There are 10 types of slang words based on Yule's theory (2010) about the word-formation process. Based on the analysis, this study discovers that comments on Elon Musk's X account use a variety of word construction techniques. After Derivation, Acronym, Borrowing, Coinage, and Multiple Processes, Clipping is the most common type of slang words. The function of slang words on Elon Musk's X account is Emotive Feeling of Slang Users because many people reacted to the application changing its name from Twitter to X. This suggests that users use slang and word creation techniques in a variety of ways, demonstrating linguistic innovation and originality in online communication. Acknowledgement (if any) Firstly, the researcher expresses her highest gratitude to Allah Subhanallahu wa Ta'ala for His blessings, opportunities, love, health and mercy to completing this article. Secondly, special sincere appreciation goes to the researcher assistants who contributed to this article entitled "Slang Words in Comments from People on Elon Musk's X Account." 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