Date of Award

9-8-2021

Thesis Type

Masters

Document Type

Dissertation

Divisions

Faculty of Languages and Linguistics

Department

Department of Malaysian Languages and Applied Linguistics

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

This paper examines the usage of slang words among the Punjabi speaking students at three Punjabi Education Centres in Malaysia. The aims include to classify the slang words used by 100 Punjabi students at the Punjabi Education Centres and analyse the functions of the identified slang words. The data was analyzed, using a mixed-method mode with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research instruments used were observations and questionnaires. The data was then analyzed using the criteria framework by Dumas and Lighter in Wong and Parco (2006), and another framework by Zhou and Fan (2013). It was concluded through the findings that the participants use slang words for the benefit of cuss words (37%), secret code (19%), tease (19%), hyperbole (7%), nickname (6%), politeness (4%), metaphor (4%), expressing feelings (2%) and sarcasm (2%). The Punjabi slang words with Emotive Feeling function are the most in this study by 52% as compared to the other two functions, which are Pursuit of Self-identity and Achieving Politeness; which fared at 13% and 3% respectively. Based on Zhou and Fan’s (2013) framework, it can be concluded that the Punjabi language users are keen on expressing their attitudes, emotions and feelings onto their listeners, rather than being in the pursuit of finding themselves or behaving politely.

Initial

maa

Additional Information

Dissertation (M.A.) – Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, 2021.

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