Digital Divides and Cultural Bridges: Generational Insights into Internet Slang, Identity, and Perceptions within Islamic Civilizational Discourse

This study is motivated by the rapid development of digital communication, which has influenced language change, particularly the use of internet slang in everyday conversations. This phenomenon is increasingly evident among younger generations who integrate language from social media into spoken communication. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate how internet slang transitions from digital spaces into modern speech, as well as to examine its functions and impacts across generations. The study employs a qualitative approach using content analysis of English-language podcast conversations involving participants from different age groups. The data were analyzed through processes of identification, coding, and categorization of slang terms based on their frequency, type, and usage context, and were then compared with relevant sociolinguistic and digital communication literature. The findings reveal that Generation Z is the most active group in using internet slang in spoken interactions, while older generations tend to use it less frequently or ironically. Internet slang serves key functions as a marker of identity, a means of emotional expression, a tool for communication efficiency, and a source of humor. However, its use also affects social perception: in informal contexts, it can enhance relatability and credibility, whereas in formal settings, it is often perceived as unprofessional. The implications of this study suggest that language changes driven by digital influence should be understood adaptively, particularly in education and intergenerational communication.