Sana All Fluent: A Qualitative Analysis of Family Members' Experiences

with Gen-Z Slang Usage in Family Communication

A Research Paper Presented to Centro Escolar Integrated School - Malolos

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for

Practical Research 1 (Qualitative Research)

Cardenas, Francine Dianne Principe

Chuang, Nicole Paguinto

Reyes, Pauline Pangan

Ventura, John Emmerson Tenorio

Second Term

School Year 2022 – 2023

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The successful completion of this study endeavor would not have been possible without the

assistance and efforts of several individuals and organizations. Their advice, knowledge, and

encouragement have tremendously enriched the outcome of this study. The researchers would like to

make use of this opportunity to express their gratitude to everyone who offered their time and expertise:

Centro Escolar Integrated School – Malolos, for the resources, facilities, and mentorship

provided have played a vital role in this study.

Mr. Raymond Carlo Mendoza, for the countless hours spent in discussions, consultations, and

constructive critiques that have considerably improved the study's quality and rigor.

The researchers' parents and friends, for their steadfast support and encouragement throughout

this research endeavor.

To the Lord Almighty, for their benevolence and for blessing us with the knowledge and

understanding necessary to pursue this research with diligence and excellence.

This study would not have been possible without the combined work and contributions of

everyone named above. Their passion, participation, and belief in the significance of this study have left

a lasting impression.

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 DEDICATION

This research is dedicated to every family member who has embraced the ever-evolving

landscape of language and communication.

To the parents, siblings, and family members who have navigated the linguistic shifts and

embraced the world of Gen-Z slang, this work acknowledges your open-mindedness and willingness to

adapt.

To the teenagers and young adults who have enriched family dynamics with your unique lexicon,

this research celebrates your creativity and the connections forged through shared understanding.

To the elders who have embraced the challenge of understanding and engaging with a new

generation's language, this dedication honors your curiosity, patience, and efforts to bridge generational

gaps.

To the families who have embraced linguistic diversity, recognizing the beauty in the evolution

of language, this research stands as a tribute to your acceptance and celebration of cultural and linguistic

variations.

May this research shed light on the experiences, challenges, and joys of family members

navigating Gen-Z slang in their daily interactions. May it foster understanding, encourage conversation,

and strengthen the bonds that connect generations.

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 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Communication plays a vital role in various aspects of our lives. More so, family communication

is crucial in an individual's life. Family communication serves as a foundation, honing an individual to

utilize their voice when necessary. However, certain factors like the rise of slang in the younger

communities lead to misunderstanding especially when conversing with individuals from an older

generation. This is observed on a day-to-day basis among our respective homes, when we are

communicating with parents, grandparents, and sometimes, even siblings.

Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, stated, "The only thing constant in life is change." This concept

can be further applied to language and communication. Over the span of years, language has evolved more

than ever. Various elements including engagement with others, technology, and way of life highly

influence language development (Jeresano & Carretero, 2022). Although language has always developed

since it first arose, the youth of today, known as Generation Z, has brought about a notable linguistic shift

with the aid of technology. As members of society and as the country’s future leaders, the younger

generation plays a crucial role in language development (Maulidiya et al., 2021). In line with this, the

generation also must deal with the problems arising in family communication as they converse with

relatives from an earlier generation.

As explained by Lutfullaevn (2023), slang is an essential part of young people's lives since it makes

it easier for them to communicate and learn new words. However, inclusivity becomes questionable when

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it comes to a family setting. Effective family communication is hampered by the generation gap, especially

when slang from various generations begins to infiltrate the conversation. The aforementioned studies

focus on the prevalence of Gen Z slang in our daily communication, the effects of utilizing slang in an

academic setting, and the impact of social media and technology on linguistic development. This study

will focus not only on the slang used by Generation Z but also its underlying effects on family

communication.

A research conducted by the Center for Family Legacy in 2021 entitled “The Importance of Family

Communication: You cannot not communicate”, revealed that 65% of the time, lack of proper and clear

communication is the cause of mistrust among family members. This successfully illustrates the

importance of proper communication between family member. In a study by Eble (2009), she emphasized

that people who use the same slang feel connected with one another and disconnected from those who do

not. Families, being a multigenerational unit of society, are the victims of these ideas of detachment.

Furthermore, most people find it difficult to comprehend the concept, so they learned by memorizing the

vocabulary without understanding its usage and relevance (Indera & Ramdzan, 2021). This can result in

a misunderstanding that jeopardizes the family relationship. Consequently, poor communication among

family members influences the psychological wellbeing of an individual, causing depression, anxiety, and

stress (Ghazavi et al., 2016).

As previously said, effective family communication is the cornerstone of one's capacity to properly

communicate one's thoughts. This research paper aims to interpret the family members' experiences with

Gen Z slang, thus providing us with a better knowledge of and description of how slang influences family

communication.

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Statement of the Problem

This phenomenological study seeks to comprehend family members' experiences as Gen Z slang

invades everyday family conversation, therefore generating an analysis of the impacts of slang use in a

multigenerational unit of society. The researchers will make use of the narratives of a Generation Z family

member and another family member from an older generation (27 and above) to answer the following

specific questions:

1. What are the types of slang commonly used by Generation Z?

2. What are the contributing factors why Generation Z employs slang while conversing with

members of the family?

3. How does the usage of slang affect family communication?

4. What changes should family members consider to create coherent and inclusive communication?

Theoretical Framework

The theoretical basis of this paper is Everett Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory (1962).

Rogers stated in his theory that in order to achieve development, innovations must be accepted and adopted

by a population. He proposed five groups of adopters: innovators, early adopters, early majorities, late

majorities, and laggards. As per Rogers' theory, innovators are those who desire to be the first to try an

innovation—the influencers. The innovators are followed by early adopters. The early majority is made

up of people who seek evidence before making a decision to follow a bandwagon. The late majority is

made up of people who are skeptical and will only follow after the majority has. Finally, there are the

laggards. These are the ones who are deeply rooted in tradition and are quite conservative. They're the

ones who are having difficulty changing their practices.

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 Figure 1. The Diffusion of Innovation Model

As seen in Figure 1, the percentage of late majorities and laggards is notably high. This may be

applied to this study in terms of family members' perspectives on the emergence of Gen Z slang. Age

plays an important role in Rogers' theory. Older generations are more firmly established in culture and

tradition. Making alterations to their typical routine is a difficult challenge for them. This places them in

the laggard category on Rogers' theory. That being said, linguistic shifts are harder to enforce on older

individuals. Generation Z members are the innovators; they are the individuals responsible for change,

particularly the emergence of new words. As per Rogers' theory, in order to impose change on the

laggards, the other groups must be competent at persuading them. The authors of this study will employ

the aforementioned theory as a framework for comprehending the informants' narratives.

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework of this research was developed using an input-process-output model

(IPO) to illustrate the pattern of how input data is processed and turned into outputs. The paradigm of this

study is shown in Figure 2.

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 Figure 2: Paradigm of the Study

The research informants' narratives of the study's problem make up the input data. These

narratives will be collected through a semi-structured interview with willing participants who meet the

qualifications specified in this paper. Apart from this, the researchers will also be utilizing the pre-

established theory mentioned in the theoretical framework of the paper. The theory of Everett Rogers

will aid in comprehending the problem by describing how people of different ages respond to shifts.

Significance of the Study

The primary aim of this study is to comprehend and analyze family members' narratives on the

utilization of Gen Z slang in intrafamily communication. The key findings of this study will be

phenomenal and beneficial, primarily to the following:

To Generation Z. This study will aid Generation Z by giving necessary details on how slang

usage impacts family communication. This knowledge will then assist them in building clear and

inclusive communication with their family.

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 To the parents. By exploring the primary reasons why these slangs are used, this research paper

will assist parents in choosing the most effective strategies to cope with the growth of new vocabularies.

To the family counselors. This study will be useful for family counselors as it will provide

details concerning the effect of Gen Z slangs on communication, which is essential in establishing a

strong bond and relationship between family members.

To the teachers. This study will assist teachers in assessing the influence of slang on children

and may aid in the development of a mechanism for students to communicate more effectively with their

families.

To the academic institution. This paper will allow the institution to build a welcoming

community of educators, parents, and learners who can effectively communicate with one another.

To the future researchers. This research paper will be valuable to future academics,

particularly those interested in studying the linguistic barriers between Generation Z and older

generations.

Scope and Delimitation

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand how the usage of Gen Z slang

impacts a tiny, multigenerational unit of society. This paper aims to draw attention to the impact of

language barriers, particularly the creation of new vocabulary. This study will contribute to a greater

understanding of the issues that arise when Generation Z uses their slang on a daily and regular basis.

The authors of this paper restricted the participants to senior high school students, ages 15 to 19,

and a relative who is at least 27 years old. Additionally, the informants must be residents of Malolos,

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Bulacan by the time the research is conducted. A semi-structured interview will be conducted with the

informants. The researchers set this style of interview to gather more spontaneous and natural responses.

To ensure that the respondents are family-related, they will be picked in pairs. However, in order to

preserve anonymity, the interview will be done individually. This paper will not cover all ages of

Generation Z. Members of Generation Z under the age of fifteen (15), family members who are not in

constant communication, and those whose first language is not Filipino are all excluded from the study.

Definition of Terms

The primary terminologies mentioned in this paper are defined using its dictionary definitions

and its relevance stated by the study's authors.

Slang. In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, slangs are defined as an informal nonstandard

vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or

facetious figures of speech. In this research paper, slang refers to the distinctive words and phrases

spoken by a certain group of people.

Generation Z. Pew Research Center identified Generation Z as the group of people born

between 1997 and 2012. This study refers to Generation Z as the individuals who are 12 to 26 years old

by 2023.

Gen Z Slang. A study by Jeresano and Carretero (2022) defined Gen Z slang as the newly

invented words and expressions made by the abovementioned generation. In this study, Gen Z slang

refers to the invented terms that people between the ages of 12 and 26 frequently use.

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 Family Communication. Miller, Ryan, Keitner, Bishop, and Esptein (2000) defined family

communication as the process wherein family members share ideas. The authors of this paper refers to

family communication as the regular conversations that occur inside a family.

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 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter delves into the comprehensive exploration of existing literature and theoretical

frameworks that form the foundation of this research study. This chapter provides a critical review and

synthesis of prior findings, academic papers, and relevant theories on linguistic variation and

generational differences.

The Rise of Gen-Z Slangs

Language is a powerful tool for communication, but with the rise of technology and social

media, new slangs have emerged. Generation Z, in particular, has been known to create and popularize

new words and phrases. It is impossible to reverse the prevalence of Gen-Z slang in daily conversation.

The emergence of these slangs, however, may be studied in order to understand how Gen-Zs create these

new terms. Given that some individuals find it difficult to understand the word in context, understanding

how it was formed may be the most practical method to avoid misinterpretation.

Social interaction, technology, and lifestyle—these are some of the factors influencing language.

The pandemic has contributed to the emergence of new words. During the pandemic that started in 2020,

new words were constantly added to the Oxford Dictionary. Some of the terms added were coined by

Generation Z and are regarded as Gen Z slangs (Jeresano & Carretero, 2022). These newly created

phrases contribute to misunderstanding, particularly among people of various generations.

In their study entitled “Digital Culture and Social Media Slang of Gen Z”, Jeresano and

Carretero (2022) classified Gen Z slangs by enumerating morphological processes. Clipping is the first

of the morphological processes. Clipping, as defined by the authors, is the act of trimming words in

order to reduce the effort needed in speaking and writing. The term 'char,' for example, is derived from
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the expression ‘charot.’ Despite having the same meaning, the former was created through regular

abbreviation of the original phrase and is more commonly used than the latter.

The second process is connotation, which occurs when the connotative meaning of the word is

used instead of its dictionary or literal meaning. As an example, the authors used the word kanser, which

is commonly used among gamers. Kanser (cancer) is a disease, but in the context where it is commonly

used, kanser refers to someone who fails to help in resolving the problem.

The third is a process known as compounding, which involves combining two independent and

unrelated words to generate a new phrase. The expression "happy pill," which refers to someone who

brings joy to others, was used as an example. The words happy and pill were used in this case. The

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines happy as an adjective which describes one's fulfillment and joy. A

pill, on the other hand, is a cylindrical and solid medication which is taken orally. By merging these two

words, a new expression is formed.

The fourth is a subtype of compounding: the combination of two different languages. It is the

process of merging two words from different languages to make a new term. The expression "sana all"

was used as an example. Sana is a Filipino word that literally translates to "hope" or "wish." Meanwhile,

“all” is an English term that relates to the extent of a group (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). The words create

an expression that is widely used when someone expresses hope that everyone, including the speaker,

will be in the same circumstance.

The next process is known as initialism. Initialism is the technique of using the initial letter of a

word to create a shorthand manner of stating it. Initialism and acronyms are particularly popular in

texting, given that the number of characters is limited. Although most of the slangs produced by

initialism predates the Gen Zs, these terms are still widely used today. FRFR is an initialism coined by
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Generation Z. This stands for “for real, for real,” and is frequently used to convey agreement on a

subject.

Another process is called the reverse form. In this process, a word's letters are rearranged in

order to form a new variation. The rearrangement and reversal of letters vary, too. It may be a

straightforward reversal, such as the word "lodi," which is simply "idol" spelled backwards. A word may

also be reversed according to syllables. "Petmalu" is derived from the word "malupet" (malupit). Most

of the time, reversing words does not alter the original meaning. However, the way it is conveyed and

the informality of the words may bring about another interpretation. These are only a few of the many

processes that a word may go through. It is also worth noting that a word might go through multiple

processes at the same time to generate a new term.

On the other hand, Temporosa (2022) pointed out in her study, "The Morphological Analysis of

Filipino Slang Words," that slangs should not be seen as a language of the uneducated. Furthermore, she

views Filipino slang as a dynamic and ever-evolving topic. Filipino slangs, unlike other slangs, can be

formed in a variety of ways. A word's letters can be shuffled, a word from another language can be

borrowed to construct a new word, and a word can even be read backwards. As a result, Filipino slang

words are unique and creative; some even have a deep backstory.

In a study about the rise of Gen-Z lexicons, Soriano (2023) utilized the terms 'forda' and 'ferson'

that circulated late in 2022 as the focus of the study. These were started by Chrishanna Luisa Olavidez

Austria, a Tiktok Gen-Z influencer, who created amusing videos using the phrases. These expressions

were created from the English words "for the" and "person.” However, the usage is typically persistent

and made amusing by improper usage. Despite the fact that the majority supported the lexicons, others

opposed and condemned the inappropriate usage of terms, particularly in formal and academic contexts.

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The author also stated that the lexicons that people use represent their digital culture. Furthermore, it

was stated that these phrases encourage group solidarity. It contributes to the development of an

individual's social identity by associating them with a group that speaks the same language. However,

the opposite effect could occur as well. People who are not members of the group may feel excluded,

generating rifts in the community.

Slang is a part of our everyday life. It aids in the development of one's social identity by

providing a sense of belonging. The usage of slang words also adds to the conversation's creativity and

casualness. Furthermore, it adds substance to the Filipino language by demonstrating how creative one

can be when coining a new term. As a result, the entertainment and literary industries have embraced the

use of slang terms. By doing so, they build a better and stronger connection with their audiences. These

can be further applied as the researchers comprehend the effects of slang usage in a family setting.

Families with Gen-Z

Generation Z has built a name for itself as a generation that is vocal, creative, and not hesitant to

speak up against injustices. However, from the perspective of others, these characteristics are not worthy

of praise. Some may argue that Gen-Zers are immature, idealistic, and untamed children. Because of

this, it is ideal for every family to give their best attention to their children. Even though these families

provide the best education, instill strong values, and promote a healthy lifestyle, a generational gap

prevails. These problems are all related to the same age and modernization issue, but one significant

factor that has the potential to increase the gap is a change in communication.

As explained by Branje (2018), Gen-Z’s ability to acquire autonomy and independence is

thought to be impacted by disagreements with their parents, which can be seen as a natural component

of family structure during this period. The frequency with which parents and their children exhibit

various emotions and change promptly between these emotions during disputes is an important feature
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of conflict interactions. Families can experiment with different ways to communicate through their

capacity to express a variety of emotions. However, expressing too many emotions might pressure some

children into feeling overwhelmed. As a result, some families that only express affection toward each

other and are hesitant to express frustration may have more difficulty resolving their conflicts. To

prevent such cases from happening, families with Generation Z members can maintain a middle ground

where they can acknowledge each other’s ways and errors in communication.

Regardless of what or how you talk about a certain topic, there will always be a root that will

cause an arising error that could lead to miscommunication. To break down the errors leading to

miscommunication, Ritchie and Fitzpatrick (as cited by Hassan et al., 2022) proposed the four family

categories, which are consensual, pluralistic, protective, and laissez-faire. These categories will be

helpful in characterizing family communication styles and breaking down the socialization processes of

Gen-Z. A consensual family encourages open communication and high conformity, which encourages

family members to express their opinions to have a better knowledge of one another's viewpoints. The

protective family likewise has high conformity but low communication; thus, the parents are the only

ones who have the authority to make decisions for the whole family. The pluralistic family is low in

conformity but high in communication, which fosters a diversity of viewpoints in conversations as

parents encourage their kids to speak up. Last but not least, because the laissez-faire family has low

communication and conformity, everyone in the family has no say in how decisions are made, which

discourages those within from asking for help. This is the kind of family where the parenting style is

dysfunctional because Gen-Zers are unable to communicate with one another since their strict privacy

standards prevent them from doing so.

As stated by Amaradip et al. (2022), undermining behaviors by parents can trigger Gen-Z’s

aggression, which causes more communication problems. It raises a child's likelihood of experiencing

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more marital hostility and poor discipline. On top of that, most parents in this type of family do not only

undermine behavior but also prefer harsh punishments to force their own values upon the child.

In an online survey conducted by Hassan et al. (2022), the total number for conformity was

lower than that for conversation out of all the categories. Through this, we can conclude that the

majority of the parent and child participants belong to pluralistic families. As was previously stated,

pluralistic families value conversations over conformity. It demonstrates that the majority of the parents

who took part in the study let their Generation Z kids make choices for themselves. This kind of family

enables both sides to better comprehend one another's points of view, which in turn can help them grasp

their modes of communication. Knowing that Gen-Zers grew up at a time surrounded by modernized

technology and the internet, it is no surprise that what they want is transparency in communication.

Pluralistic families have an advantage when it comes to understanding Generation Z more than the other

three types of families since they are able to engage in open conversations. In addition, Gen-Zers are

allowed to freely express themselves through their means of expression, which include sophisticated

terms like slang, without being constrained.

The lives of Generation Z youngsters can be influenced by something as simple as having

meaningful family conversations. A determined, developing family is built on communication, and

while Gen-Zers are still changing the way they communicate, interactions can help minimize errors.

These errors can also be used to better understand children's perspectives and avoid miscommunication.

Barriers in Family Communication

Communication has the power to build and break. The capacity for effective communication is

one of the critical abilities one must develop. Aside from improving an individual’s comprehension, it

also contributes to the development of positive relationships, particularly with families. Acquiring the

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ability to effectively communicate your thoughts is crucial to building a strong foundation and

connection among family members.

As Dolan (2019) pointed out, using unfamiliar terms might cause misunderstandings and

separate individuals from the message. The use of slang and jargon in communication may be

advantageous. However, it may be problematic because not everyone is familiar with every phrase.

Depending on whom an individual is interacting with, they need to adjust their communication style.

Families, as a multigenerational social unit, are one environment in which we have to alter our

communication techniques. Additionally, the author highlighted that the use of unfamiliar terms in

communication results in a lack of trust. When a person cannot properly comprehend what a word

means, they might end up concluding that someone is making up words to conceal something. Hence, if

there is no trust built among family members, a lot of troubles may arise. Family members may start

doubting one another due to the incoherent communication, and inclusivity might not foster.

Truist Wealth Center for Family Legacy (2021) provided a set of solutions to avoid arguments

caused by incoherent familial communication. Being conscious is the first of the suggested solutions to

improving communication. As the author points out, it is crucial to understand that good communication

requires effort and consciousness. An individual must be aware of their tone and emphasis. Others might

misinterpret this easily, which would increase tension and have a bad effect on relationships.

Additionally, one must also be conscious of their choice of words. The use of complex and unfamiliar

words might result in confusion and misunderstandings. Therefore, using slang and jargon must be

avoided, particularly when conversing with people from a different group or generation. Families are

most susceptible to miscommunication because of the complexities of each member. Even though the

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long time spent together may contribute to the resistance to miscommunication, it might also be one of

the causes of mistrust.

The success of communication can be greatly enhanced by developing listening abilities and

learning to listen empathically. Slangs are complex terminologies. The creation of slang words is not a

steady line that one may trace easily. Even though the creation of these words may end up having a

pattern, it would be difficult for someone from another generation to fully comprehend the meaning of a

word. Listening to comprehend rather than reply is a meta-practice every individual should be aware of.

When age and generation operate as obstacles, listening is a critical skill. People of different generations

have different perspectives, experiences, and even expressions. Listening facilitates correct and effective

comprehension of the situation's context. In order to effectively communicate with others, it is important

for us to be aware of both our own and their communication preferences. We become more adept at

communicating across styles as we have a greater understanding of both communicating styles.

Dedication and practice are necessary for effective communication. People should pay attention

to both their own and other people's communication styles. Slang from Generation Z is growing

common in some family conversations. A lot of people, particularly those who are from the older

generations, are still unaware of the meanings of the newly coined terms. To have a conversation that is

clearer and more understood, both generations must learn to adapt to varied communication styles. Both

Gen Z and older generations may explore various communication modalities. The ability to commit to

becoming more engaged, empathic listeners is crucial, especially for the essential people in our life. The

foundation of a successful and happy family is open communication. Family members should make an

effort to improve their communication skills

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Synthesis

The preceding studies effectively demonstrated that the research problem exists and is presently

being dealt with in society. Using the information synthesized from the associated literature and studies

discussed above, the researchers were able to eventually reinforce the link between the variables of the

research study.

The researchers addressed several notions of communication, its barriers, and the measures utilized

to minimize miscommunication due to Gen-Z slang in this chapter. The studies being used to determine

the digital culture present in Generation Z language and its perceived effect on their conversational

language were used to explore the variables affecting communication caused by slang. In turn, commonly

occurring word-formation processes like Clipping, Connotation, Compounding, Initialism, and Reversing

aid in tracing a word's etymology. Secondly, to understand the impact of slang on misunderstanding

among family members with Generation Z, studies that investigated communication gaps and trends in

families were required. It was found that most families experience problems because of

miscommunication among family members of different ages. Furthermore, these studies cover topics like

conversation, conformity, and the four categories of families: consensual, pluralistic, protective, and

laissez-faire. Finally, after categorizing communication patterns among family members, barriers in

familial communication were identified. The studies in this theme highlighted the significant influence of

employing unfamiliar terminologies in familial communication and how members might manage.

The literature and studies reviewed in this chapter will aid in determining the potential

consequences of using Gen-Z slang in family communication. Furthermore, it benefited the writers'

previous knowledge by supplying additional information and diverse viewpoints.

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 CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design

Sacred Heart University (2022) defined research design as the overall strategy that the researchers

selected to integrate the various elements of their study in a coherent and logical manner, ensuring

effectiveness in addressing the research problem. The purpose of this research is to conduct a naturalistic

study to discover and obtain a thorough grasp of the everyday experiences associated with the use of Gen-

Z slang in family communication. The naturalistic study involves monitoring and documenting

occurrences as they occur in their natural settings, allowing for a thorough and realistic examination of

the subject.

This research paper will employ the phenomenological research design as it allows the respondents

to express their varied viewpoints on the inclusion of Gen Z slang into typical family conversations

through a variety of experiences. This research design will also be beneficial for the researchers, as it will

aid in collecting diverse and true-to-life answers. For this type of study to make sense and highlight the

experiences and insights of the respondents, the researchers must dissociate themselves from the study's

content.

Setting and Participants

The researchers have devised two distinct selection criteria for study participants. To begin, five

senior high school students aged 15 to 19 studying at Centro Escolar Integrated School- Malolos will fill

the first half of the required respondents. The second half will consist of the first five respondents'

relatives. The family member must be at least 27 years old by the time the study is done in 2023. The

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distinction is made to verify that the respondents are qualified to answer the research problem's queries.

In total, the interview participants will reach a sample size of 10.

Sampling Design and Technique

The researchers will be utilizing a non-probability sampling technique known as the snowball

technique. Snowball sampling, as defined by Oregon State University (2010), is a research recruitment

approach in which volunteers are requested to help researchers find other possible subjects. Participants

in this technique will be asked to recommend and recruit the following participant, making it respondent-

driven.

In this technique, the researchers will select five senior high school students to participate in the

interview. These interviewees will be asked to recommend a family member who is at least 27 years old.

The recruited family members will take part in the second interview batch.

The study will benefit from the use of snowball sampling given that it will allow researchers to

collect relevant answers. The comparable nature of responses will be critical when the researchers develop

a detailed description of the subject.

Research Instrument

In order to collect data for this study, the researchers will utilize interviews as an instrument. An

interview is "to question or talk with someone to get information" according to the transitive terminology

from Merriam-Webster's Dictionary. A set of questions will be asked by the interviewer during this formal

interaction between the interviewer and interviewee in order to aid the analysis as researchers.

In this case, a semi-structured interview, a hybrid of a structured and an unstructured interview,

will be used by the researchers. It will, in a sense, promote a two-way conversation between researchers

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and participants, which will help in formulating the questions that need to be answered. The researchers

will take notes while they conduct the interviews on the answers given by the participants. In this method,

the researchers may ask follow-up questions to gain a deeper understanding of the participant’s answers.

In addition to taking notes, the researchers will also use a device that can record the activity being

conducted to precisely record the respondents' narratives and prevent errors. The participants will be

notified about the current recording and briefed on the importance of doing so.

Validation of Instrument

Ensuring the validity and appropriateness of the instrument is necessary for both the researchers

and the participants. By doing so, the researchers will be able to ask all essential questions necessary to

produce valuable answers. Validating the research instrument guarantees that it is measuring what needs

to be measured (Ramli et al., 2010). Since this study is qualitative, generalizability is one of the qualities

that a researcher must establish. To ensure this, the instruments must be validated by an unbiased and

qualified professional. Furthermore, ensuring the appropriateness of the instrument will avoid possible

conflicts between the researcher and the participant.

The questions collected from the conducted interviews will be validated by the research adviser of

the authors. This will be conducted to make sure that all the interview questions are accurate, appropriate,

and obeying the ethics of the process. The structured questions will be scanned by the research adviser

and further corrections and adjustments will be done afterwards. Sequentially, the procedures in collecting

the data will also be validated by the research adviser.

Data Gathering Procedure

In the process of gathering the data required to proceed with the study, the researchers will

accomplish the following:

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 Selection of Participants. The researchers will select five senior high school pupils at Centro

Escolar Integrated School in Malolos at random using respondent-driven snowball sampling. The

researchers will brief the participants to ensure an effective interview. The briefing will go over the

interview procedure in detail and ensure that the respondents understand every circumstance.

Participants are also informed that their responses will be recorded using an audio recording device.

Interview. A five-question semi-structured interview about their experiences with Gen-Z slang

usage will be implemented. Because of the nature of a semi-structured interview, researchers may ask

additional inquiries to gain an improved comprehension of the participant's responses.

Snowball Effect. Finally, respondents will be requested to select a family member who is at

least 27 years old to participate in the next set of interviews. These relatives will be questioned in order

to collect the necessary information regarding their experiences with the usage of Gen-Z lexicons in

family communication. A semi-structured interview will also be implemented.

Following data collection, the researchers will use the responses received to create a detailed

description of the research problem.

Data Processing Method

In processing the data gathered, it is crucial for the researchers to set aside any biases, as they

can alter the possible results. The following methods will be employed to process the data gathered:

Transcription. The researchers will transcribe the audio recordings in order to obtain a tangible

manuscript of the participants' answers. In the data processing approach, transcription of audio

recordings has various advantages. For instance, it gives qualitative data a physical and ordered

structure, making it easier to study and analyze. During the data analysis phase, the researchers can refer

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to the transcriptions, avoiding the need to listen to the audio recordings repeatedly. It enables effective

data navigation and easy referencing of relevant areas.

Pre-established Theory. Comprehending the various experiences of different people is an

arduous task. Therefore, the paper's theoretical framework will be utilized to analyze the responses of

the participants. Using this method, the authors will be able to comprehend the progression of language

trends in various generations. The researchers will benefit from Everett Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation

Theory in detecting possible patterns of behavioral and linguistic adaptation across generations.

Coding. The researchers will extensively review the responses of the research participants in

order to obtain a meaningful and relevant grasp of the data gathered. Furthermore, the responses will be

categorized based on their similarities. Possible patterns will be discovered, and the categories will be

labeled with a word that generalizes the responses. This way, the relationship between the data collected

will be defined.

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