Interpreting Social Media Memes: Exploring Variations in Understanding Gen Z Slang Across Gen X, Gen Y and Gen Z
Abstract
This study examines meaning-making in memes, focusing on the meanings participants attribute to social media memes featuring Gen Z slang and the variations in generational interpretation. It employed a qualitative design, specifically, the photo-elicitation technique. The results revealed that participants interpret memes based on relationship dynamics, humour portrayal, and contextual relevance. The study identifies variations among the participants' interpretations in terms of semantic ambiguity, contextualization, semantic shift, and reconstruction. However, the study also revealed that Gen Y adapts well to Gen Z's language, while Gen X faces difficulties, highlighting the role of communication in bridging generational gaps.
Keywords: semantics; communication; memetic language; intergenerational; memes
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