THE GEN Z INTERNET SLANG AND EFL SPEAKERS: THE CASE OF N. MACEDONIA

Abstract

In the realm of digital discourse, Generation Z (Gen Z), the true digital natives, have significantly changed English as we know it, infusing their online conversations with a distinctive lexicon of “No cap”s, and “High-key”s. Recognizing the uniqueness of such language use, this paper delves into the Gen Z internet slang, aiming to 1. Qualitatively dissect the word formation processes and explore the semantic shift of popular slang terms found on TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, and 2. Check whether EFL Gen Zers can understand this Internet slang.

Surveying a random sample of 52 EFL students from three high schools in Bitola, North Macedonia, the study found that the majority of these students are familiar with most Gen Z slang terms such as "Flex," "(Spill the) Tea," "Main character," and "(It’s) Giving…". Though these responses relied on self-reported data, which cannot be seen as fully objective, this study still provided valuable insights into the linguistic terrain of tech-based linguistic creativity, aiming to unearth not just new words, but the very essence of this generation's digital identity.