Analysis of Slang Words Formation Found in the Lyrics of Drake’s Songs

Abstract

This research attempted to find out the word formation processes of slang words found in the lyrics of Drake’s songs. This research applied descriptive qualitative research design. The theory of the 18 word formation processes based on the synthesized theories from Yule (2010), Mattielo (2008), O’Grady, Aronoff, & Dobrovolsky (1997) were used as guidelines. This study found out that there were 190 slang words existing in the lyrics of the songs. They were respectively categorized into clipping (27%), coinage (25%), multiple process (22%), compounding (18%), reduplicatives (2%), variation (2%), borrowing (1%), blending (1%), acronym and initialism (1%), reversed forms (0.5%), and onomatopoeia (0.5%).

Word Formation in Selected Lyrics Written by Asian Songwriters

“…therefore, the word tryna is formed and generally used in written English informally. This is in accordance with previous research by Puspitorini (2019), Putri and Zakrimal (2019), Tanamal et al (2020), and Budasi and Bhuwana (2020) where blending words in lyrics written by native speakers were also found in informal words such as tryna, gotta, wanna, and ain't.…”

“…The last process found in lyrics written by Asian songwriters is multiple-process which has 24 data and mostly clipping as the second process is often found. This process is rarely found in the previous research yet Budasi and Bhuwana (2020) found 41 data of multiple-process in the Lyrics of Drake's Songs. In inflection, the data have the functions as verb and adjective.…”

“…The acronym process found in lyrics written by native speakers are also formed as an object such as LA for Los Angles and DJ for disk jockey (Putri and Zakrimal, 2019), CC for Crack and Cocaine (Tanamal et al, 2020), SMS for Short Message Service and also the using of period (.) to create acronym found in R.I.P (Budasi and Bhuwana, 2020).…”

“…Putri and Zakrimal (2019) and Puspitorini (2019) didn't find any compound process in their research. However, Budasi and Bhuwana (2020) found out 3 data in compounding process.…”

Discovering the Pattern of Pop Song Artist’s Word Formation Processes for Slangs

“…According to the study, clipping is the most dominantly used word formation process to create the slangs across all songs in order to achieve a rhyme and beat balance. Identical types of studies have also been carried out by Aisyah & Larasati (2021) with Avril Lavigne's "Head Above Water" song, Budasi & Bhuwana (2020) with Drake's songs, Tanamal et al (2020) with Travis Scott on Astroworld Album.…”