This article investigates the semiotic and pragmatic dimensions of word games as used in contemporary youth speech. Word games are not only a form of linguistic creativity but also a vehicle for meaning-making, identity formation, and social interaction. Drawing upon semiotics and pragmatics, the study explores how signs, symbols, and linguistic structures are manipulated by youth to generate humor, irony, critique, or solidarity. It also examines the contextual, intentional, and inferential aspects of such language use through examples from both offline and online interactions. The findings reveal that youth employ wordplay to encode layered meanings and to actively engage in social positioning, subcultural expression, and digital communication rituals. Understanding these dimensions enriches the study of language in society and provides insight into the evolution of modern linguistic practices.

Youth speech, word games, semiotics, pragmatics, linguistic play, social meaning, digital discourse

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