The Use of Dysphemism in the Comments Column on the Instagram Account @stateofisrael

International Journal of English Linguistics, Literature, and Education (IJELLE) Vol. 6, No. 2, December 2024, pp. 86-98 ISSN 2686-0120 (print), 2686-5106 (online) 86 http://journal.univetbantara.ac.id/index.php/ijelle/index The Use of Dysphemism in the Comments Column on the Instagram Account @stateofisrael Faradila Awalia Fasa a,1*, I Dewa Putu Wijana b,2 a Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia 1 **, * Corresponding Author Received 23 November 2024; accepted 24 December 2024; published 31 December 2024 ABSTRACT This study aims to examine more deeply the expression of dysphemism in the comment column on one of the social media. The purpose of this study is to describe the linguistic form of dysphemism and the function of using dysphemism. The method used in this study is a qualitative method. The data in this study were the terms of dysphemism in the comment column of the Instagram account @stateofisrael, and the data sources of this study were the linguistic form and function of using dysphemism. Data collection techniques were carried out using documentation techniques (screenshots) and note-taking techniques. The results of the study were found three linguistic forms, there are words, phrases, and clauses. The functions of using dysphemism expressions were identified as follows: 1) expressing anger or irritation, 2) criticizing, 3) insinuating, 4) insulting, mocking, or sharpening insults, 5) accusing or blaming, 6) complaining, 7) conveying information, 8) showing disagreement, and 9) showing dislike. Thus, dysphemism expressions express thoughts and emotions towards someone or something by choosing words or terms that can hurt the feelings of the person they are talking to. KEYWORDS Dysphemism Lingual form Function Comment column Instagram This is an openaccess article under the CC–BY-SA license 1. Introduction Language is an essential element in social life because language is a tool or media that can make it easier for humans to communicate. Language is used to understand the intent, content, and message conveyed when communicating (Mailani et al., 2022). Humans cannot convey intent and receive various kinds of information when interacting without language. Kridalaksana (2001), stated that language is a symbol of sound, and language is used in social society to socialize, interact, and show identity. However, in the context of using language in social media, language can be used between individuals and communities. It can be a medium for broader and more intense interaction than direct communication. According to Sutanto and Assidik (2022), the use of language on social media is an important aspect, especially in communication, because it can trigger the development or change of language, both verbally and in writing, which sometimes does not have a good impact because the information conveyed uses taboo terms that are often used by people in communicating. Kusumastuti et al. (2021), stated that the development of technology impacts language changes, one of which is in the use of language on InstagramInstagram is one of the social media with the largest number of users in the world. This is because the rapid development of technology can impact the use of language, especially in social media, which provides freedom of language to trigger the use of dirty and impolite language or expressions (Saadillah et al., 2023). This aligns with the view of Ramadhani et al. (2021), stated that Instagram is a social media used for insulting, mocking, cursing, ridiculing, and also speaking negatively about individuals or groups. The freedom to express criticism and opinions has led social media users to misuse that platform. The language used on social media, particularly in the Instagram comments column, frequently includes dysphemistic expressions. Dysphemism is a linguistic phenomenon involving words or phrases with negative connotations that can be harmful, offensive, belittling, or upsetting to the listener, the speaker, and others who hear the expression (Allan & Burridge, 1991:26). Thus, the use doi :10.32585/ijelle.v6i2.5979 87 International Journal of English Linguistics, Literature, and Education (IJELLE) Vol. 6, No. 2, December 2024, pp. 86-98 ISSN 2686-0120 (print), 2686-5106 (online) of dysphemism expressions by social media users can be caused by several factors, such as the tendency to communicate impulsively in social media, the existence of language supervision and moderation, and culture which is one of the factors in the use of rude and impolite language. Dysphemism is employed to belittle or insult an individual or group through the use of harsh, offensive, and impolite language. This is in line with Garner (2000) stated that the use of dysphemism expressions is a form of someone's effort to replace words or phrases that have a connotation meaning that is considered more neutral or positive with words that have a negative, unpleasant, and impolite connotation meaning. Wijana (2004: 244-246), stated that the form of using dysphemism, or words that have dirty connotations, is a form of language used by speakers as a means or media to express their dissatisfaction and as a tool to respond to the phenomenon that is happening. The form of dysphemism language can be divided into three types, namely: 1) word form, where the word form is the most diminutive linguistic form that has meaning; 2) phrase form, this type of dysphemism is a grammatical unit consisting of two or more words that can be used as one of the functions of syntax in the form of subject, object, predicate, or adverb; and 3) clause form, this form of dysphemism is a form of grammatical unit that contains a predicate and can potentially become a sentence. Furthermore, one of the functions of using dysphemistic expressions is to talk about something that can make the speaker feel angry, annoyed, disappointed and at odds with the speaker so that the speaker can use dysphemistic expressions to insult and embarrass the person being addressed and the person being addressed will feel cornered (Allan & Burridge, 2006:78). Dysphemism expressions are generally related to the linguistic form used and its function. Therefore, there have been many studies on the use of dysphemism conducted by Siti Chaerunisyah and I Dewa Putu Wijana (2023) with the research title "Disfemisme dalam Kolom Komentar YouTube pada Akun “Narasi Newsroom 2022” with the focus of the research examining linguistic problems found in the comments’ column on YouTube social media. The findings of this study indicate that there are three types of linguistic forms: words, phrases, and clauses. Dysphemism appears in linguistic forms such as base words, derived words, reduplications, and compound words. It also takes the form of noun phrases, adjective phrases, and verb phrases. The functions of using dysphemism include nine purposes: expressing anger or frustration, criticizing, insinuati (...truncated)