Textism in Digital Communication: Usage of Internet Slang in Social Media Among Bilingual Malaysian Youths

The rapid advancement of communication technologies has transformed language use, leading to the widespread adoption of internet slang in social media communication. Among bilingual and multilingual youth, this phenomenon reflects innovativeness, creativity, informality, and a departure from conventional linguistic norms, often eliciting disapproval from older generations. This study explores how bilingual Malaysian youth utilize internet slang in e-discourse across various social media platforms. Employing a qualitative approach, naturally occurring conversations and posts from twelve participants were analyzed to decode the most frequently used internet slang and its intended meanings. The findings reveal seven classes of internet slang being used by the youths: phrase abbreviations, word abbreviations, derogatory adjectives, non-derogatory adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and verbs. Additionally, the internet slang was formed through various strategies such as abbreviating expressive phrases, simplifying words into shorter form, widening the meaning of existing words, borrowing words used in different contexts, and creating new words, which highlighted the interplay between creativity and linguistic economy in digital communication. The study underscores the role of internet slang as a tool for identity construction, social solidarity, and cultural expression among youth. While it challenges traditional notions of language standardization, it also offers unique insights into the dynamics of communication in bilingual communities. This research emphasizes the need for further investigation into the generational and intercultural implications of internet slang, as well as its potential impact on digital communication practices. Keywords: Textism, internet slang, youth, social media, digital communication.