AMBIGUOUS EXPRESSIONS: A SEMANTIC STUDY ON SLANG IN GEN Z NARRATIVE DIALOGUES
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This study investigates the phenomenon of semantic ambiguity in narrative conversations among Generation Z. Ambiguity arises when a slang word or phrase may have more than one interpretation depending on context, speaker intention, or group understanding. The research uses a qualitative descriptive method with a semantic approach, focusing on 15 simulated narrative dialogues reflecting authentic Gen Z slang usage. Results show that ambiguous terms such as "slay," "cap," "fire," and "ghost" frequently cause misunderstanding without context-based clarification. Analysis reveals that ambiguity primarily stems from polysemy (62.5%), followed by homonymy (25%) and contextually fluid meanings (12.5%). This indicates a need for improved pragmatic awareness in both teaching and understanding informal digital discourse.
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