Slang English Word on the Tik Tok Platform: Analysis of Pronunciation Errors Among Gen Alpha

Silva Ula; Mulis Mulis

doi:10.33648/ijoaser.v9i3.1445

Silva Ula Universitas Al-Qolam Malang, Indonesia
Mulis Mulis Universitas Al-Qolam Malang, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33648/ijoaser.v9i3.1445

Keywords: TikTok, English Slang, Pronunciation, Generation Alpha, Digital Language Learning, Mixed Methods, Sociolinguistics

Abstract

This study investigates how TikTok influences the use and pronunciation of English slang among Generation Alpha in Indonesia. Using a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design, the research involved 36 ninth-grade students who actively use TikTok. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires examining TikTok usage frequency, familiarity with slang, and pronunciation habits, followed by qualitative interviews and TikTok content analysis to explain pronunciation patterns in depth. Findings show that although students widely adopt slang such as cap, slay, OMG, BFF, based, and rizz, only 31.02% of the total pronunciations were correct, while 58.33% were incorrect. Most errors occur because students imitate non-standard pronunciations used by TikTok creators and are influenced by Indonesian phonological patterns, such as omitting final consonants, mispronouncing diphthongs, and replacing /z/ with /s/. The study concludes that TikTok successfully increases vocabulary exposure and motivation, but does not independently improve pronunciation accuracy. Therefore, structured phonetic guidance and pedagogical integration of TikTok content are needed to help Generation Alpha achieve correct English pronunciation.

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