Understanding Informal Expressions Through SpiderMan: Across The Spider-Verse

This study investigates the types of informal expressions present in the film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse from a sociolinguistic perspective. The research aims to identify and classify informal linguistic features, including slang, contractions, discourse markers, fillers, and formulaic expressions, as they appear in the film's dialogue. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, with data collected through systematic observation and transcription of 90 selected informal utterances. The expressions were classified based on the theoretical frameworks proposed by Biber et al., Widawski, Wray, and Gavela. The findings reveal that all five categories of informal expressions are present in the film. Contractions are the most dominant type, appearing frequently across various characters and situations, reflecting the natural rhythm and fluency of spoken interaction. Slang expressions serve as markers of social identity and group solidarity, while discourse markers organize conversation and manage speaker interaction. Fillers add spontaneity and realism to the dialogue, and formulaic expressions contribute to the emotional and interpersonal depth of communication. The study concludes that informal expressions are systematic linguistic resources that enhance the authenticity of film dialogue and reflect real-life patterns of language variation. The findings offer implications for sociolinguistic research on media language and for the use of films as pedagogical tools in English language teaching.