Forms and Functions of Dysphemism in the Comment Section of the Instagram Account @timnasindonesia: A Sociolinguistic Study

Abstract

This study aims to describe the forms and functions of dysphemism found in the comment section of the Instagram account @timnasindonesia. The research employed a descriptive qualitative method, with the data consisting of netizens’ comments collected through screenshots. Data analysis followed the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña model, which comprises data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings revealed eight categories of dysphemistic expressions: taboo terms, obscene swear words, comparisons of humans to animals, terms referring to tabooed body parts, physical epithets, epithets referring to a person’s mental abnormality, dysphemistic insults, and insults directed at individuals. In terms of function, the dysphemistic expressions found in the comment section served to demean or insult, express dislike, intensify insults, provide negative portrayals, express anger, and swear or assert power. The findings indicate that dysphemism is used not only as an outlet for emotional expression but also as a means of social criticism and as a way of asserting attitudes toward situations and events.