An Analysis of Slang Words in Jennifer Lopez’s Selected Song Lyrics: A Morphological Study

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the word formation processes of slang words and the dominant word formation process used by Jennifer Lopez in her 5 selected song lyrics. It focuses on how slang words in the songs are formed. The method of this research is a qualitative method with a documentary research strategy, because the data were taken from the internet. In the data collection, the data were identified as slang and sort out the classification of word formation process proposed by Yule (2006). The total slang words found in the song lyrics are 59 words. The findings of the analysis shows that 7 of 10 types of Yule‟s word formation processes contribute to the formation of slang words in the song lyrics; clipping, borrowing, derivation, blending, compounding, coinage and multiple process. However, some words are not formed through Yule‟s classification. The words in this study are identified as other. Besides, the dominant word formation process of slang in the song is clipping process. The high appearance of clipping process might be caused by its short contruction in order to suit the rythm of the song.