Students' perceptions of slang use on social media and perceived impact on communication skills: a preliminary study

The rise of social media has contributed to the rapid growth of slang. This linguistic phenomenon is reshaping how individuals communicate, particularly among young people, thus creating research opportunities. This study aims to (1) examine university students’ perceptions of the impact of slang on their communication abilities, (2) analyze the reasons behind students’ use of slang on social media, and (3) identify the types of slang most frequently used by the university students. This preliminary study was carried out at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Kedah, Malaysia, employing a mixed-methods study. A quantitative survey was conducted through social media platforms, targeting 55 respondents selected through random sampling, while qualitative interviews were conducted with five participants to provide deeper insights into the study. IBM SPSS software was used to analyze the data. The study was also guided by Holmes’ theory of sociolinguistic variation and Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT), which together provide a framework for exploring why students use slang (e.g., peer influence, motivation) and how they perceive its effects, whether positively or negatively. The results of the questionnaire survey indicate that students use slang to speed up communication and that this usage enhances confidence in communication. Meanwhile, the interview outcomes show two major patterns that emerge, which are social influence and convenience and speed. In conclusion, this study helps in providing insight that can contribute to the body of knowledge in identifying the linguistic trend that is rapidly growing and spreading among youth.