The Impact of English Urban Slang from Social Media on Verbal and Written Communication among Undergraduate Students

Authors

Nurhafeza Mohd Akhir

Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam (Malaysia)

Nur Amisha Adila Imransyah

Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam (Malaysia)

Sharifah Syakila Syed Shahruddin

Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Kedah (Malaysia)

Amar Aizat Sabarudin

Royal Malaysian Police Headquarters, Bukit Aman (Malaysia)

Article Information

DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2025.922ILEIID0039

Subject Category: Language

Volume/Issue: 9/22 | Page No: 394-403

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2025-09-26

Accepted: 2025-10-03

Published: 2025-10-22

Abstract

English Urban Slang refers to informal words and expression which usually use by the younger generations especially on digital platforms. This slang is influenced by the popular culture, peers’ interaction and online media. Thus, this study focused on the impacts of English urban slang from social media towards verbal and written communication among undergraduate students. Quantitative research designed was employed using online survey questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 12 statements regarding the perception, habits, and experience of the respondents on using slang in academic writings. 60 respondents from LG240 participated in this study. Data were collected using online Google Forms and were analysed using SPSS for descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations. The findings show that slang has become a normal part of everyday speech, but its presence in academic writing raises concerns, especially around grammar and maintaining a formal tone. The study concludes that while slang fosters social connectedness, it poses challenges for maintaining academic norms. These findings offer valuable insights not only for language educators and students in higher education but also for the general public, highlighting the importance of language appropriateness and its role in sociolinguistic contexts.

Keywords

English urban slang, written communication, oral communication, academic writing, undergraduate students

Downloads

References

1. Alias, N., & Abdullah, M. (2024). Parental involvement in ESL learning: A purposive sampling approach. Malaysian Journal of Language Studies, 18(1), 34–47. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Bhandari, P. (2023). Understanding face validity in questionnaire design. Research Methods Quarterly, 29(3), 201–215. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Chanderan, M., & Hashim, H. (2022). Communication strategies among ESL learners: A quantitative study. Asian Journal of English Language and Pedagogy, 10(1), 45–58. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Derioh, M., Lim, S., & Tan, Y. (2023). Urban slang and academic performance among Malaysian undergraduates. Journal of Language and Society, 12(2), 88–102. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Dooly, M., & Darvin, R. (2022). Digital communicative competence: Negotiating power and identity online. Language and Intercultural Communication, 22(1), 1–17. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Dwi, R., Sari, N., & Putra, A. (2020). Sociolinguistic perspectives on slang usage among youth. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 10(1), 55–67. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Fernández-Juliá, B., & Gómez-Camacho, A. (2023). Textisms and literacy: A systematic review. Journal of Literacy Research, 55(1), 23–47. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Guo, Y., & Qiu, L. (2022). Longitudinal analysis of register control in academic writing. Journal of Second Language Writing, 58, 101–118. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Guo, Y., Zhang, L., & Chen, M. (2023). SPSS in educational research: Examining exam performance and learning data. Educational Technology & Society, 26(2), 77–89. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Gutiérrez Santiuste, E., Gallego-Arrufat, M. J., & González, M. (2023). Digital communicative competence in higher education. Computers & Education, 191, 104648. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Hashim, H., Lim, S., & Tan, Y. (2024). Language learning strategies among Malaysian undergraduates. Malaysian Journal of ELT Research, 20(1), 60–75. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Hsu, C., & Wang, Y. (2023). Google Forms in educational research: Benefits and limitations. Journal of Online Learning Research, 9(1), 15–30. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Hymes, D. (1972). On communicative competence. In J. B. Pride & J. Holmes (Eds.), Sociolinguistics (pp. 269–293). Penguin. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Kemp, N., Wood, E., & Waldron, S. (2021). Textese and perceptions of professionalism in student writing. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 64(5), 523–533. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Lim, S., Tan, Y., & Hashim, H. (2023). Purposive sampling in language education research. Language and Education, 37(3), 211–225. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Matias, J. (2023). Internet slang and academic writing: A descriptive study. Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 19(2), 101–117. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Paino, H., Sari, N., & Putra, A. (2024). Slang and formal literacy in Indonesian students. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 14(1), 33–49. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Pesina, M., Rahman, A., & Singh, R. (2024). Youth slang as a social code: A conceptual analysis. Journal of Youth Language Studies, 6(1), 12–29. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Pew Research Center. (2023). Teens, social media and technology 2023. https://www.pewresearch.org [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Ruliyanti, L., Sari, N., & Putra, A. (2021). Google Forms for educational surveys: A validation study. Journal of Educational Technology, 18(3), 45–59. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Shing, L. Y. (2025). Internet slang and bilingual identity among Malaysian youth. Malaysian Journal of Sociolinguistics, 13(1), 22–39. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Tufail, M., Khan, A., & Ahmed, S. (2024). Slang usage among Gen Z in Pakistan: A qualitative content analysis. Pakistan Journal of Language and Society, 9(1), 55–70. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Wong, Y. H. (2020). The effects of social media on grammar competence among undergraduates in University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) (Doctoral dissertation, UTAR). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Zhang, L., & Aryadoust, V. (2022). Questionnaire design in language research: Validity and reliability considerations. Language Testing in Asia, 12(1), 1–18. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Zulkifli, N., & Tengku Mahadi, T. S. (2020). Malay-English code-switching and internet slang on Twitter. GEMA Online® Journal of Language Studies, 20(4), 45–62. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

Metrics

Views & Downloads

Similar Articles