Semantic Analysis of Slang in the Lyrics of “Rizzler” By Jelly House: A Case of Alpha Gene Language
Abstract
This study investigates the semantic construction of Generation Alpha slang in the lyrics of “Rizzler” by Jelly House, a song that reflects the growing influence of digital culture, meme-based communication, and online social interaction on contemporary youth language. Despite the increasing prominence of Generation Alpha slang in digital spaces, studies examining its semantic characteristics in popular music remain limited. Therefore, this research aims to identify the lexical and contextual meanings of slang in the song and to determine the dominant meaning type that shapes their interpretation. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, study adopts Lyons’ semantic theory as its analytical framework. The data consist of ten Generation Alpha slang terms extracted from song lyrics and analyzed through three coding stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. The findings reveal that contextual meaning is substantially more dominant than lexical meaning, with eight slang terms interpreted primarily through situational, cultural, and linguistic contexts and only two retaining predominantly lexical meanings. The analysis further demonstrates that meanings of terms such as gyatt, rizz, sigma, and skibidi toilet are largely constructed through meme culture, digital intertextuality, and shared online experiences rather than through conventional dictionary definitions. These findings suggest Generation Alpha slang functions not merely as linguistic innovation but also as mechanism for identity construction, humor, social positioning, and community building within digital environments. The study concludes that semantic interpretation of Generation Alpha slang is highly contextual, dynamic, and culturally embedded, highlighting crucial role of digital culture in shaping contemporary patterns of youth communication.
Keywords: contextual meaning; generation alpha slang; lexical meaning; semantic analysis
