From “Cringe” to “Toxic”: English-Inspired Youth Slang, Social Judgement, and Identity Construction in Indonesian Digital Discourse

Abstract

This study examines how English-inspired youth slang in Indonesian digital discourse functions as evaluative language, enabling social judgment and identity construction, and considers implications for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) pedagogy. Grounded in sociolinguistic identity theory, Appraisal Theory, and Critical Discourse Analysis, it conceptualizes slang as an ideologically loaded evaluative practice. Using a qualitative corpus-informed approach, data were collected from TikTok, Twitter/X, and Instagram through purposive sampling. The analysis focuses on expressions such as cringe, insecure, toxic, and pick me, examining their evaluative roles and contexts. Findings show that English-inspired slang enables users to label, evaluate, and regulate behavior while constructing in-group and out-group identities. These practices reflect globalized ideologies and power relations, indicating that slang is socially embedded. The study argues for viewing slang as an evaluative resource and highlights the need to integrate critical digital literacy into EFL classrooms.