Ngoko in a queen`s voice: A linguistic study of humor in @qetropaque`s TikTok content

Hasna, Jilan Durrotul and Indah, Rohmani Nur ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6176-048X (2025) Ngoko in a queen`s voice: A linguistic study of humor in @qetropaque`s TikTok content. Linguistics Initiative, 5 (2). pp. 365-379. ISSN 2775-3719.

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Abstract

This study discusses how a content creator on TikTok, Aisyah Dinda (@qetropaque), uses language strategies such as code-switching and phonetic distortion to produce humorous effects in her content. The purpose of this study is to identify the types of code-switching and phonetic distortion that appear in the videos, as well as to explain how both play a role in creating humor. It employs a qualitative method using data consisting of eight short monologue videos from TikTok that have been manually transcribed. This study uses Poplack's theory to analyze the types of code-switching: inter-sentential, intra-sentential, and tag switching, as well as the classification of phonetic distortion: substitution, elision, and epenthesis. Both are analyzed for their humorous functions and divided into emotional expression, unexpected punchlines, and incongruity according to Magnotta & Strohl. The results of this analysis show that the most dominant type of code-switching is inter-sentential or language switching between sentences, while the most common phonetic distortion is sound substitution, such as changing /p/ to /f/. These two strategies complement and reinforce each other to enhance the humorous effect in Aisyah Dinda's content. However, these results may differ when applied to direct conversations or content from other creators. These findings provide an initial overview of how language play can be creatively utilized to produce humorous content and can serve as a reference for future research using different data or contexts.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	code-switching; humor; phonetic distortion; linguistic strategies; TikTok content
Subjects:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2003 Language Studies > 200302 English Language 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2003 Language Studies > 200303 English as a Second Language 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2004 Linguistics > 200403 Discourse and Pragmatics 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2003 Language Studies 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2004 Linguistics
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities > Department of English Language and Letters
Depositing User:	Rohmani Nur Indah
Date Deposited:	28 Aug 2025 14:03

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