ABSTRACT

Nasywa Luthfia Alfi, 2025 : WOMEN AND MEN’S LANGUAGE IN

NIKI’S LYRICS

Supervisor 1 : Dr. Diana Rozelin, S.S., M.Hum.
Supervisor 2 : Tira Mariana, S.S., M.Hum.
This study discusses the influence of gender on word choice in NIKI's songs,
analyzing how differences in female and male language are manifested in song
lyrics. Word choice in the lyrics indicates differences in NIKI's language use. These
differences can be distinguished through linguistic features. The purpose of this
study is to identify linguistic characteristics in word choice that characterize female
and male language in NIKI's selected songs, and to explore the differences in the use
of female and male language characteristics based on context and social norms. The
researcher uses Janet Holmes' theory (2013) as the primary theory and Coates (2004)
for gender perspectives. The research methodology is a qualitative research
approach. Data collection was conducted using documentation techniques. Data
analysis was conducted using a descriptive technique. The data for this study are
lyrics from NIKI's selected songs: "Oceans & Engines" (2022), "Lose" (2020), "La
La Lost You" (2019), "Backburner" (2022), and "Autumn" (2024). The results of the
study indicate that there are linguistic characteristics that characterize the language of
women and men in NIKI's songs. First, NIKI's word choice demonstrates the use of
metaphors with many indirect expressions, as well as the use of hedging and
reinforcement to emphasize and describe emotional images, which are characteristic
of women's language. On the other hand, there is also the use of male language that
tends to use direct statements with a competitive approach. Second, these language
use are influenced by social norms, where women's language tends to be more
cooperative with lyrics that describe nostalgia and longing, while men's language
shows direct statements and a competitive approach as a way to show dissatisfaction.
Keywords: gender, word choice, Niki, descriptive study, sociolinguistics