AN ANALYSIS OF SLANG WORDS IN “MONSTER HOUSE” MOVIE

Abstract

Particularly in youth-oriented media, where language represents both character identification and larger social standards, slang terms are an integral component of modern film discourse.   Few studies have examined how slang in children's animation films works and persists after its original release, despite earlier study (Pramana & I Dewa Ayu Devi Maharani Santika, 2025) concentrating on categorising slang in action movies like Fast Five using Allan and Burridge's methodology. The purpose of this study is to examine the kinds and applicability of slang in Monster House , a comedy-horror film that combines humour with colloquial language aimed for young people. Using a descriptive qualitative method supported by document analysis, the research identifies 25 slang expressions, which are categorized based on semantic function and social usage. Data collection involved transcription, contextual interpretation, and triangulation to ensure validity. The results show that childish/youth slang (20%), name-calling (16%), and threat/situation slang (16%) dominate the dialogue. Unlike Fast Five, where slang reflects aggression and dominance, Monster House utilizes informal language to express emotional nuance, humor, and peer dynamics. This study contributes to sociolinguistic discourse by offering a novelty perspective, evaluating the cultural persistence and emotional effectiveness of slang years after the film's release. It underscores how certain expressions remain non-cringe, contextually appropriate, and relevant in today’s informal communication. Future research may explore slang retention across genres or assess audience perception in various age groups to deepen understanding of media-driven language evolution.