THE PRAGMATIC FUNCTIONS OF TIKTOK SLANG IN ADOLESCENT IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION AND PEER RELATIONSHIPS

Prodanovska-Poposka, Vesna (2026) THE PRAGMATIC FUNCTIONS OF TIKTOK SLANG IN ADOLESCENT IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION AND PEER RELATIONSHIPS. PALIMPSEST: International Journal for Linguistics, Literary and Cultural Research, 10 (20). pp. 25-31. ISSN 2545-3998

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Abstract

TikTok slang has become a rapidly evolving linguistic resource that
plays a central role in the everyday communication of adolescents. As social media
increasingly shapes youth interactions, understanding the pragmatic functions of digital
slang is essential for examining how young people negotiate identity, express emotions,
and navigate peer relationships. This study explores how adolescents in grades 5-9
(aged 10 to 15) from a public school in Bitola, North Macedonia, use TikTok slang as a
sociolinguistic tool within their school and online environments. Based on survey data
from 119 participants, the research investigates familiarity with common slang terms,
frequency of use, meaning interpretation, and attitudes toward slang within both informal
and educational contexts. The findings reveal that adolescents employ slang strategically
to build rapport, signal group belonging, and perform identity in ways that align with the
fast-changing norms of digital culture. Slang terms such as cringe, rizz, and flex serve
important interpersonal roles, from expressing humor and admiration to regulating social
boundaries and managing peer evaluation. Moreover, the study highlights how multiplatform
engagement enhances pragmatic competence, as adolescents learn to cope
with shifting contextual cues across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat. While
most slang is used positively or playfully, a smaller portion reflects socially sensitive
or harmful language, emphasizing the need for critical digital literacy. Overall, this
research contributes to a deeper understanding of how TikTok slang functions as both
a linguistic and social mechanism that shapes adolescent identity, peer dynamics, and
communicative development.
Keywords: TikTok slang; pragmatic functions; adolescent identity; peer dynamics;
social media language.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Scientific Fields (Frascati) > Humanities > Languages and literature
Divisions:	Faculty of Biotechnical Sciences
Depositing User:	Prof. d-r Vesna Prodanovska
Date Deposited:	02 Mar 2026 17:11
Last Modified:	02 Mar 2026 17:12
URI:	https://eprints.uklo.edu.mk/id/eprint/11385

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