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

Authors

  • Jilan Durrotul Hasna Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Indonesia
  • Rohmani Nur Indah Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53696/27753719.52333

Keywords:

code-switching, humor, phonetic distortion, linguistic strategies, TikTok content

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.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adesoye, R. E. (2018). Phonological distortion as a humorous strategy in Folarin Falana’s comedy skits. The European Journal of Humour Research, 6(4), 60-74. https://doi.org/10.7592/EJHR2018.6.4.adesoye

Andani, M. P. (2021). Campur Kode dalam Video Instagram Jonan_55 (Doctoral dissertation, universitas andalas).

Azminah, G. L., Dayudin, D., & Mardiansyah, Y. (2025). Alih Kode dan Campur Kode dalam Akun Instagram@ affarmakarim_. JURNALISTRENDi: Jurnal Linguistik, Sastra, dan Pendidikan, 10(1), 21-29.

Chiaro, D. (2017). The language of jokes in the digital age: Viral humour (p. 178). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315146348

Gerwin, J. (2024). The role of dialect in comedy performances: focus on enregisterment and humor. English Language & Linguistics, 28(4), 751-773. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1360674324000492

Hassan, B. E. A. (2013). The Pragmatics of humor: January 25th revolution and occupy Wall Street. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 4(2), 551-562. https://doi.org/10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n2p551

Iyanuoluwa, O., & Oyinlade, A. O. (2024). Switching the Script: Unveiling the Linguistic Dance of Code-Switching in Nigerian Online Skits. Linguistics Initiative, 4(1), 155–173. https://doi.org/10.53696/27753719.41138

Jayanti, C. T. (2016). Wacana fiksimini bahasa Indonesia: Analisis struktur, keterpaduan, permainan bahasa, dan fungsi. Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni dan Pengajarannya, 44(2), 175-187. https://doi.org/10.17977/um015v44i22016p175

Ladefoged, P., & Johnson, K. (2014). A course in phonetics (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Listyorini, A. (2017). Wacana humor dalam meme di media online sebagai potret kehidupan sebagian masyarakat Indonesia. Jurnal Litera, 16(1), 64-77. https://doi.org/10.21831/ltr.v16i1.14251

Magnotta, E., & Strohl, A. (2011). A linguistic analysis of humor: A look at Seinfeld. Working Papers of the Linguistics Circle, 21(1), 126-135.

Nor, M. M., & Shangeetha, R. K. (2023). Code-Switching in Malaysia Stand-Up Comedy Performances: A case study of comedian Harith Iskander. Kajian Malaysia: Journal of Malaysian Studies, 41(1). https://doi.org/10.21315/km2023.41.1.6

Nur, T. (2019). Campur Kode dan Alih Kode pada Rubrik “Nah Ini Dia” dalam Harian Pos Kota. Pujangga: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra, 5(1), 36-46.

Nuryana, D. (2025, July). Perspektif Peralihan Kode dalam Komunikasi Digital. In Prosiding Seminar Nasional Linguistik dan Sastra.

Palani, H., & Bakar, F. (2023). A Case Study On the Use of Humorous Code-Switching in Harith Iskander’s Stand-Up Comedy Shows. LSP International Journal, 10(2), 13-26. https://doi.org/10.11113/lspi.v10.20121

Poplack, S. (1980). Sometimes I'll start a sentence in Spanish y termino en Espanol: Toward a typology of code‑switching. Linguistics, 18(7–8), 581–618. https://doi.org/10.1515/ling.1980.18.7-8.581.

Poplack, S. (2004). Code‑Switching. In U. Ammon et al. (Ed.), Sociolinguistics: An International Handbook of the Science of Language and Society (ed. ke‑2, Vol. 1, hlm. 589–596). De Gruyter Mouton. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110141894.1.4.589

Prihandini, A., Bustam, M. R., & Heriyati, N. (2016). Campur dan Alih Kode pada Pola Komunikasi Antara Dosen dan Mahasiswa di Lingkungan UNIKOM dalam Aplikasi Media Sosial-Kajian Sosiolinguistik. Majalah Ilmiah UNIKOM, 14(2), 173-183.

Resticka, G. A. (2017). Pemanfaatan aspek kebahasaan bentuk kata tuturan humor dalam karikatur. Haluan Sastra Budaya, 1(1), 43-65.

Riaz, B., Yasmin, M., & Gul, W. (2025). Code-Switching and Humor in Pakistani Comedy: A Sociolinguistic Perspective. Liberal Journal of Language & Literature Review, 3(2), 212-239.

Rohmadi, M. (2010). Strategi penciptaan humor dengan pemanfaatan aspek-aspek kebahasaan. Humaniora, 22(3), 285-298.

Rosalina, P. D. (2014). Indonesian-English code switching by the comics in stand-up comedy show on Metro TV. Jurnal Humanis, 7(3), 1-7.

Rumalean, I., Khasanah, U., Parinussa, J. D., & Anum, A. (2025) Dasar-Dasar Fonologi Bahasa Indonesia.

Sari, A. P., Susilawati, L., & Mulyono, N. (2025). Analisis Kesalahan Fonologis Bahasa Indonesia dalam Channel YouTube Liputan Enam Episode Wawancara Eksklusif: Prabowo Berbicara Soal Makan Gratis, Menteri Kabinet, Hingga Hasrat menjadi Presiden: Dampak Kesalahan Fonologis pada Pemahaman Audiens. ALFABETA: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, dan Pembelajarannya, 8(1), 34-40. https://doi.org/10.33503/alfabeta.v8i1.1502

Sari, K. ., Joko Nurcahyo, R. ., & Kartini. (2019). Analisis Kesalahan Berbahasa Pada Majalah Toga Edisi III Bulan Desember Tahun 2018. Imajeri: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra Indonesia, 2(1), 11–23. https://doi.org/10.22236/imajeri.v2i1.5073

Tabacaru, S. (2024). Facial expressions as multimodal markers of humor: More evidence from scripted and non‑scripted interactions. In B. Priego‑Valverde (Ed.), Interactional Humor: Multimodal Design and Negotiation (pp. 209–230). De Gruyter Mouton. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110983128-008

Tafsir, M. H. (2023). Code-switching used by the English-speaking comedians to Indonesian in stand-up comedian performances (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim).

Yuwana, R. Y., Santosa, R., & Sumarlam, S. (2024). Dasar-Dasar Strategi Humor Indonesia Memanfaatkan Pengalaman Berbahasa Cak Lontong. Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya, 47(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.17977/um015v47i12019p044

Downloads

Published

25-08-2025

How to Cite

Hasna, J. D., & Indah, R. N. (2025). Ngoko in a queen`s voice: A linguistic study of humor in @qetropaque`s TikTok content. Linguistics Initiative, 5(2), 365–379. https://doi.org/10.53696/27753719.52333

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.