SPEECH ACT OF MEMES IN GEN Z INTERNET COMMUNICATION

This paper aims to identify the language behaviours found in memes and communication pattern markers for those associated with the use of memes. Meme refers to a form of discourse that arises in the latest communication media and is widely spread online through discussion forums, social media and general internet culture. Memes are usually humorous and have a picture of certain situations that occur among the socio-cultural internet users. Thus, memes have their own language behaviour and this can be examined through Bach and Harnish (1979) speech act theory which is communicative. Content analysis involved a total of 121 memes uploaded in the UTHM Troll Facebook for 30 months from 30 September 2018 to 31 March 2020. The data were then grouped according to the theory of Bach and Harnish (1979). The study found that speech acts that appear are constative, directive and a combination of speech acts. Speech act of memes in Malay language has demonstrated a pattern of communication used by the generation Z lives in the digital culture. Such communication patterns include the characteristics of freedom and adaptation; speed and customization as well as high entertainment and oversight of current issues of the world.