A STUDY ON NETSPEAK USED BY INDONESIAN ADULTS ON A WHATSAPP CHAT GROUP

Abstract

Abstract

The use of internet language or netspeak in people’s daily communication is such a common phenomenon that becomes one of the most interesting topics to be researched. Its common types such as the use of nonstandard punctuation, using abbreviation, emoticons, and so on are problematic for some people: it is confusing for those who are not familiar and useful for those who are familiar with.

Regarding to that fact, this study is conducted to examine the types of netspeak and the reasons of 6 Indonesian adults in using netspeak on WhatsApp chat group communication. The participants consist of 5 females and 1 male who are between 27-35 years old.

This research is analyzed by using qualitative method and the framework from Riley (2013). It consists of two sources of data from participants’ written netspeak on WhatsApp chatgroup and their interview data transcripts.

Results of the written netspeak on WhatsApp chatgroup show that there are some similar characteristics of netspeak that can be put together as certain type of netspeak by Riley (2013). There is also possibility for certain type of netspeak to be the most dominant netspeak used by the participants.

Moreover, the anticipated result of the interview shows that the participants have their own reasons in using netspeak when they communicate on WhatsApp chat group.

Keywords: English, Indonesian, netspeak, internet language, WhatsApp chat group