This study explored the slang usage of Generation Y and Generation Z, focusing on slang types and the

perceived use of English slang on social media, and examined the significant mean difference in slang usage

between the two generations. It employed a causal-comparative design to compare the generational differences

between Generation Y and Generation Z, utilizing central tendency and independent sample t-test methods. A

convenience sampling method was used to select employees to represent the two groups from one private

company. The findings indicate that Initialism is the most prevalent slang type among both Gen Y and Gen Z,

In the rapidly evolving communication landscape, social media has become a crucial platform where

Generation Y (Gen Y) and Generation Z (Gen Z) express themselves, gain connections, and create linguistic

trends. Born as digital natives, Gen Y (1981-1996) and Gen Z (1997-2012) (Giancaterino, 2023) have mainly

used TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Facebook as communication platforms (Rezeki & Sagala,

2019). Their pattern of social media use differs, but in subtle ways. While Gen Y often engages more with

Facebook and LinkedIn for networking and information sharing, Gen Z prefers fast‑paced, visually stimulating

platforms such as TikTok and Instagram (Pew Research Center, 2023). These, among others, define their

closeness between users, easier social interaction, and creating relaxed communication atmospheres (Budiasa

et al., 2021; Haris et al., 2023; Josea et al., 2025). Slang therefore, can serve as a bridge between individual

expression and collective culture (Josea et al., 2025).

Being overexposed to social media may lead to a significant influence from the content displayed, the language

used, or the communication within the platforms. Budiasa et al. (2021) state that the frequent use of slang on

social media may negatively impact users' formal communication skills, academic writing abilities, and create

intergenerational communication barriers. This is because the informal nature of social media, according to

Ogheneakpobor (2023) encourages a relaxed approach to grammar, spelling, and punctuation, resulting in

linguistic evolution and confusion with traditional norms. The use of slang may also exclude those unfamiliar

English slang is not a standardised and structured language, overusing it may ruin their grammar and linguistic

skills, such as listening, reading, speaking, and writing, especially when the English language is not their first

language. For instance, language learners tend to use slang in the academic writing context and thus can

confuse the readers’ understanding of their writing content (González & Chang, 2024; Gusnayetti, 2021).

To exacerbate the situation, Rezeki and Sagala (2019) found that Gen Y may not significantly improve their

language skills in the future due to their habit of using slang rather than standard language. It was also found

that the younger generation spoke the standard English language less slowly, which potentially threatens to

replace the standard language with slang (Hendrajati et al., 2023; Sardiyah, 2020; Za et al., 2023). These can

lead to a lower language attitude toward the use of standard English.

For people who are not familiar with the slang, it can be a challenge to understand it, as English slang is not

Comparative studies investigating slang usage within generational differences were limited. This research gap

is substantiated by Vacalares et al. (2023), who suggest further research to explore linguistic patterns and

impacts of slang, taking into consideration perceptions of Gen Y and Generation Z. Furthermore, this

comparative research has been understudied in the local setting.

As highlighted in the above studies, conducted in Indonesia (Budiasa et al., 2021; Hendrajati et al., 2023;

Pongsapan, 2022; Rezeki & Sagala, 2019; Rusfandi, 2020; Sardiyah, 2020; Za et al., 2023), the methods

employed were either qualitative or quantitative. Thus, the study employed a combination of both approaches

to determine the perceptions of Gen Y and Generation Z regarding the use of English slang in social media

communication within the Malaysian context, specifically among employees from a private company in Kuala

Lumpur. This study aimed at addressing the following research questions:

Malaysia’s evolving digital communication landscape.

CAT was developed by sociolinguist Howard Giles (1973) to comprehend and understand the reasons why

people shift the way they talk, including the languages, accents, and dialects, when communicating with

others. Giles analyzed the speech variability used by the addressee, which results in the shift of speech style

through interpersonal and intergroup accommodation processes, regardless of the interaction context. He also

considered the receiver characteristics as a factor influencing the communication adjustment of the speakers.

The theory has been applied in communication to include intergroup interactions between different social

groups such as cultures, generations, genders, and professions, and within and between organizations, either

a party makes their speech more similar to that of the other party, either by switching the language, adopting a

different speaking style, or adjusting their accent. This type of adjustment is usually perceived as a sign of

liking by trying to fit and be as similar as possible to the other party (Giles, 1973). This behaviour is perceived

positively as it shows the motives for respect and friendliness. Usually, people make this adjustment to seek

approval, affiliation, and to instill interpersonal similarity, thereby reducing social distance (Soliz & Giles,

2014). It also improves the effectiveness of communication as it highlights mutual understanding and lowers

uncertainty (Gudykunst, 1995).

Divergence is a communication strategy where the speakers emphasize the differences in their speech patterns

and accentuate the language differences between themselves and others. In other words, one party

distinguishes itself from the other by emphasizing its language, speaking style, or accent. When using

communication in social contexts, particularly on social media. The use of English slang on social media may

be influenced by one’s social circle or environment, such as their interactions with people of the same age,

which then impacts their linguistic trends and preferences. The exposure of the social context may influence

the way people communicate with one another. Therefore, this theory is very helpful in analysing and

exploring Gen Y’s and Gen Z’s perceptions of the use of English colloquialisms in communication on social

media.

Lutfiah et al. (2024) refer slang as “non‑standard lexical items and expressions, typically ephemeral, that arise

within specific communities to convey shared identity, humor, or solidarity, and which frequently employ

processes such as clipping, blending, and semantic shift” (p. 785) while Chumok and Lerdpaisalwong (2025)

Slang typologies classify the ways slang terms are formed, offering a systematic framework for analyzing

Bauer (1983) has been widely applied in sociolinguistics to categorize slang into types such as clipping,

initialism, acronym, blending, and compounding. Within this typology, clipping shortens a longer word

without altering its meaning, e.g., exam from examination or fridge from refrigerator. Initialism forms a term

keyboard.

where brevity, creativity, and group identity are valued. Clipping and initialism often serve efficiency, while

and Gen Z discourse, the study would reveal each linguistic preference. This study adopted the Marchand–

media, enabling both quantitative frequency analysis and qualitative interpretation of cultural trends. The

examining which slang types are used to converge with a group (e.g., adopting popular abbreviations to fit in)

and which are used to diverge (e.g., creating novel blends to stand out).

Regularly scrolling social media has become a habit among younger generations, as they have realised its

socializing with other users.

overcome their self-identity issues. They used them to escape from the reality of their personal life and

problems by socializing online with their friends (Grau et al., 2019). Gen Y and Gen Z, accustomed to

technological communication, tend to be more confident interacting online than face-to-face as they are more

familiar and comfortable with the digital platform (Li & Jing, 2018). Hence, their reliance on it is so great that

they find comfort when using it.

In sociolinguistic research, slang typologies (initialism, clipping, connotation, compounding, euphemism, and

limited. Even less is known about which slang types are rarely used by either generation in online contexts.

Hence, this study addressed these gaps by analysing the frequency of slang use between Gen Y and Gen Z and

quantitatively investigating the most significant differences in the perceived use of English slang on social

media.

become trendier, making it easier to chat as they only use abbreviations, allowing them to become more

comfortable chatting with people who use the same slang. Furthermore, Budiasa et al. (2021) found that slang

serves as a mechanism to enrich new vocabulary, reduce the seriousness of conversation, and enhance

creativity in communication across various social functions. Thus, slang has helped them become more

engaged and more confident in the conversation, according to Jeresano and Carretero (2022).

However, the use of slang that deviates from the English standard can create barriers when interacting with

people outside the group or generation. A study by Neshkovska (2020) revealed that many English major

students in his research did not agree to include slang in their academic syllabus because it is not a standard

language. Another study by Rezeki and Sagala (2019) also presented similar findings. It was found that by

The participants were selected using the convenience sampling method. The sampling method was employed

because the inclusion criteria included two generations – Gen Y and Gen Z, who were the users of English

slang on social media. Only those aged 39 to 43 were included as participants to represent Gen Y, and those

aged 23 to 27 represented Generation Z. The restricted age of the participants was to ensure that the age gap is

still large between the two generations. Sampling involved a private company in Kuala Lumpur, and the

selected sample comprised the users of the chosen social media. The sample size was determined based on the

rating that ranged from strongly agree to disagree. The questionnaire was adapted from previous research, from

Charkova (2007), Padohinog et al. (2020), and Jeresano and Carretero (2022) to address the research

objectives.