GESTURE AS LANGUAGE IN DRAKEPOSTING INTERNET MEME (A STUDY OF SEMIOTICS)

Abstract

In digital technology era, memes provide a means of communication across various internet platforms. It is debatable that many people prefer using memes because of their performance. Memes‘ language shares cultural sense implied in language use. Drakeposting internet meme, for example, provide gestures involving facial expression and hand movement to communicate certain intentions. In  semiotics study, gestures are part of signs conveying a specific meaning in a specific culture. This study discusses the ways of Drake‘s gestures in expressing meanings: (1) the type of gestures; and (2) the meaning conveyed. Data collection taken from a meme-collecting site was analyzed by applying descriptive qualitative method. In the findings, it is identified that gesture symbolizes meaning to communicate Drake‘s messages to his fans and people who read. Drakeposting internet meme speaks more than they are saying. Thus they motivate readers to improve their reading competency, leading to critical thinking.
Keywords: gesture, internet meme, semiotics