FROM GOKIL TO SLAY TO SIGMA: AN INTRODUCTION TO A CROSS GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION IN INDONESIA

Abstract

The unstoppable linguistic evolution in current digital world is spreading to the cross generational communication through slang words, especially between millennials and the generation following: gen Z and Alpha. This article delves into the transition in Indonesian slang. Using qualitative method with a sociolinguistic approach, the researcher analyses the emergence of the new slang words and how the social media platform takes definitive role in this evolution. With the comparative framework, this study plays as linguistic bridge for Indonesian millennials to understand the gap with their successor generations, both in person communication or in digital discourse.

Article identifies three main points: The shift in the origin of slang vocabulary from local etymology to English based vocabulary and global culture; The influence of the interaction in social media, and; The absurdity in typical lexicon of Gen Z and Alpha. The result explains that the slang vocabularies among generations have their own identity and it determines the stability of the language usage. The local based vocabulary tends to more long-lasting and easier to understand because its formed based on linguistic aspects, whereas gen Z and Alpha slang evolve faster because of digital algorithm. Moreover, the lexicon absurdity tends to lead to an understanding loss among the process.