WORD FORMATION

How We Use Acronyms in Our Daily Communication

BY NUR MUZDALIFAH BINTI MOHD FARID (245601)

REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE

Link: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS2aCCWNQ/

BACKGROUND

Fadshari or her TikTok account’s name is shastudyspm known as influencer in TikTok with her video that focused on educational and useful study tips (TikTok, 2024). This TikToker gained followers and popularity with shares how to improve study skills and help students to enhance their academic pressures. She also used her personal experience as advice to motivate others which makes her video seems more relatable.

In this TikTok video, she used her point of view to shows how chaotic and disorganization that comes with intense studying, especially when it is in major examination week such as SPM which is a national exam in Malaysia. Her videos shows that this is a relatable struggle and common situation for students during their exam preparation as her content while balancing a humor and a sense of exhaustion in her caption.

RELATION BETWEEN WORD FORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

Word formation is several processes being used for inventing new word from existing words in language. One of the ways that commonly used to form a new word is using affixation either through prefixes or suffixes. Despite that, according to (Yule, 2016) there are many types of processes in word formation that still being used such as borrowing, conversion, compounding, blending, clipping, coinage, acronyms and derivation. According to Raja (2014), new words that were created by the processes of Word Formation required not only to increased vocabulary, but it also needed for a new sentence.

Based on the screenshot that I took from one of the TikTok video that I found, this Tiktoker used one of the processes from Word Formation which is Acronym. The types of Word Formation’s process that being used here really help communicate efficiently in casual, relatable style that fits the environment like social media. This word formation's process is essential where capturing attention quickly is the key. By using familiar language, this TikToker create a sense of community, encouraging audience interaction and participation. Overall, these linguistic techniques show the evolving nature of communication in the digital space and how they can adapt to social media users.

INTERESTING ASPECTS OF ACRONYMS

Efficiency in Communication

Acronyms like “DW” or “ISTG” are more than just trendy shortcuts, it is the way of communication that people used in modern communication! This clever invention of modern acronyms helps to express thoughts or feelings without sacrifice the meaning. As stated by Yan (2024), “acronyms play a pivotal role in streamlining communication and boosting efficiency”. As an example, in a group chat, Ella asks if they’re still going to the beach this weekend. Liam says he wants to go to the mountains instead because he found a cabin. Ella gets frustrated and says, “ISTG, if we change plans again, I’m just staying home!” Maya agrees, saying they should stick to the beach since it’s too late to change. The chat shows their playful frustration with the constant plan changes. In this way, acronyms not only function as giving information, but it is also being used for growing a deeper connection between communicators and it is more efficient to describe something.

In-Group Language and Cultural References

In daily communication, acronyms like “SPM” are more than shorthand, it is also can described as the cultural references in Malaysia. When this acronym being used in casual conversation or text, they will immediately understand, and it will automatically create a sense of belongings among Malaysian people. As an example, a group of Malaysian students jokes about their upcoming SPM exams, saying they’re ready to cry over math, terrified of Bahasa Melayu, but then continue to study. This acronym often reflects shared experience and cultural references that only specific group will fully understand, this works effectively especially to differentiate between members and outsiders. As stated by (Department of Education, NSW Government, 2021) “Language is intrinsic to the expression of culture”. In this context, "SPM" isn't just an acronym, it's a badge of identity for Malaysian students and it helps to reinforce community bonds and identity.

RELATION BETWEEN ACRONYMS AND COMMUNICATION

Using this kind of acronyms helps people for having informal or formal conversation with others in short forms which makes the conversation doesn’t need a lengthy explanation. These acronyms are commonly used in daily conversation in various channel such as face-to-face, texts or social media posts. As examples, the acronyms like “SPM” (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia), it used in formal educational terms in Malaysia while “FYP” (For Your Page) or “POV” (Point of View) is in social media platforms which pictured the way of modern interaction in digital communication being used and “ISTG” (I Swear to God) or “DW” (Don’t Worry) is usually used in casual conversation and texting among teenagers. Other than that, people also use acronyms and blend it with some sense of humor and creativity for comedic effect or creates a new meaning which sometimes have an invisible meaning. This shows how personal experience and digital culture were received and sent in a quick pace and efficient with only using acronyms that people familiar with. Ultimately, acronyms serve as a bridge between cultures, experiences, and generations, makes the communication seems more engaging and dynamic.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, acronyms play such a big role in daily communication either in formal and informal situation or social media and spoken conversations. Acronyms reflect cultural and trends which makes the communication feel more engaging and more relatable. Other than that, acronyms also make people feels the sense of belonging among specific groups and indirectly can strengthen identity. More importantly are acronyms allowing people to have a conversation or communication with others using shorter form from a longer phrase without a further explanation.

REFERENCES

1. Abbreviations and Acronyms in English Word-Formation on JSTOR. (n.d.-b). www.jstor.org. https://www.jstor.org/stable/455038?seq=1

2. Department of Education, NSW Government. (2021b, July 2). Culture, language and identity - Understanding racism. Racism. No Way! https://racismnoway.com.au/about-racism/understanding-racism/the-importance-of-culture-language-and-identity/

3. Javarone, M. A., & Armano, G. (2013b). Emergence of acronyms in a community of language users. The European Physical Journal B, 86(11). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2013-40662-5

4. Kastovsky, D. (1982b). WORD-FORMATION: a FUNCTIONAL VIEW. Folia Linguistica, 16(1–4). https://doi.org/10.1515/flin.1982.16.1-4.181

5. Pradianti, W. (2013b). The Use of Slang Words Among Junior High School Students in Everyday Conversation (A case study in the ninth-grade students of a junior high school in Bandung). Pradianti | Passage. https://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/psg/article/view/362/251

6. Raja, V. L. (2014b). Word Formation: a Morphological Analysis. Journal of Language and Literature, 14(1), 81–86. https://e-journal.usd.ac.id/index.php/JOLL/article/view/401

7. Veyseh, A. P. B., Dernoncourt, F., Nguyen, T. H., Chang, W., & Celi, L. A. (2020b, December 22). Acronym identification and disambiguation shared tasks for scientific document understanding. arXiv.org. https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11760

8. Yan, T. (2024b, April 9). Master 8 Acronyms for Efficient work across Industries. https://articles.coolpo.io/8-acronyms-efficient-working-across-industries/

9. Yule, G. (2016). The study of language. Cambridge University Press.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse