THE ANALYSIS OF SLANG WORDS IN “ANYONE BUT YOU” (2023) MOVIE SCRIPT

Language variations, such as slang, serve as significant tool of encouraging group solidarity and expressing social identity in informal communication. This study aims to investigate the types and functions of slang words used by the characters in the romantic comedy “Anyone but You” (2023). The data were gathered from the movie script and evaluated using a descriptive qualitative approach. Allan and Burridge (2006) theoretical framework was used to categorize the different types of slang and their functions in the characters’ social interactions. The analysis revealed a total of 64 slang words used throughout the movie script. Regarding the types of slang, the five categories proposed by Allan and Burridge were identified; fresh and creative appeared (31%) appeared as the dominant type, followed by imitative (23%), flippant (22%), clipping (20%), and acronym (3%). Fresh and creative slang emerged as the most dominant type, reflecting the characters’ use of innovative and modern terminology to express emotion, irony and personality in a contemporary setting. In contrast, acronyms were the least used type, which shows that the characters favor expressive word forms over shortened slang. In terms of function, seven different purposes for using slang were identified; to express an impression (55%), to reveal anger (11%), to address (9%), to intimate relax conversation (8%), to humiliate (8%), to form intimate atmosphere (8%), and to show intimacy (3%). The high frequency of slang used to express impressions, indicates that the characters mainly use informal language to convey their feelings and attitudes in a spontaneous and easily understood way. The findings highlight that slang plays an important role in modern discourse by establishing authenticity and fostering familiarity among peers in natural social settings