SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF MEANING CHANGE IN GENERATION ALPHA LANGUAGE ON TIKTOK: A LEXICAL SEMANTIC APPROACH

Abstract

Language is always evolving, with changes occurring in its usage, structure, and meaning. Social media accelerates these developments in the digital era, especially for Generation Alpha, the first generation to be completely surrounded in digital technology. This study explores the changes in meaning of selected slang words used by Generation Alpha on TikTok, applying a lexical semantic approach. A qualitative descriptive method was applied, involving non participatory observation of 22 slang words used by Generation Alpha on TikTok. Data were analyzed through reduction, display, and categorization of semantic changes into four types: amelioration, pejoration, generalization, and specialization. The findings show that most slang originates in English and changes its meaning. Generalization expands word usage across contexts (e.g., bussin, flex), specialization restricts meanings to specific circumstances (e.g., rizz, cap), amelioration reflects good or praising meanings (e.g., ate, Gucci), and pejoration carries negative connotations (e.g., basic, ghosting). These findings demonstrate how societal trends and internet contact have shaped Generation Alpha's flexible and adaptive language use. The understanding of semantic variance in teenage slang across social media platforms is enhanced by this study.