English Terminology in Mobile Legends: A Digital Linguistics Perspective on Player Navigation

Nur Rifda Dzhalzhabillah; Andi Samsu Rijal; Dahniar Dahniar

doi:10.61220/glens.v3i1.1257

Authors

Nur Rifda Dzhalzhabillah Universitas Islam Makassar Author
Andi Samsu Rijal Universitas Islam Makassar Author
Dahniar Dahniar Universitas Islam Makassar Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61220/glens.v3i1.1257

Keywords:

Digital Linguistics, Gaming Terminology, Interface Language, Mobile Legends, Player Navigation

Abstract

This study examines how English terminology functions within the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) game interface, focusing on its role in player navigation and decision-making. Through qualitative analysis of the game's interface over three weeks, we identified 27 specialized English terms across four key areas: starting menu, hero classifications, positional roles, and battle spell icons. Our findings reveal that these terms form a structured linguistic system rather than random labels, each term serves a specific navigational purpose and helps players make quick strategic decisions during gameplay. The terminology shows interesting linguistic features, including semantic narrowing and the creation of game-specific words, particularly among battle spells. To strengthen our analysis, we gathered feedback from five active MLBB players about their experiences with interface terminology and consulted a linguistics expert to validate our interpretations. The results suggest that MLBB's English terminology operates as a controlled vocabulary that standardizes gameplay communication across different language backgrounds. However, this study primarily analyzed the interface itself rather than extensively exploring how diverse players actually interpret these terms. Future research should include broader player perspectives, especially from users with varying English proficiency levels, to better understand the cognitive processes behind terminology comprehension in multilingual gaming communities.

References

Abriani, A. I., Abdullah, Z., & Sumule, M. (2018). Perilaku Komunikasi Pengguna Game Online:“Mobile Legends.” Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi UHO, 8 (2).

Aflah, M. S. (2023). Student’s perception of the contribution of mobile legends: bang bang to improve student’s speaking ability. 11190140000031.

Ambarwati, M., Nurhadi, & Rahman, A. (2022). Trash-Talking Pemain Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mahasiswa FKIP UNS. Ganaya : Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora, 5(3), 243–255. https://doi.org/10.37329/ganaya.v5i3.1833

Androutsopoulos, J. (2014). Mediatization and Sociolinguistic Change. De Gruyter Mouton.

Balqish, A. N., & Hadi, M. S. (2023). Student Perception of Mobile Legends Bang Bang to Improve Vocabulary Mastery. Indo Green Journal, 1(4), 165–176. https://doi.org/10.31004/green.v1i4.32

Crystal, D. (2006). Language and the Internet. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511487002

Gozali, A. A. (2024). Pemahaman Terhadap Voice Pack Bahasa Jepang Dalam Game Online Mobile Legends. Universitas Komputer Indonesia.

Gusnawaty, G., Lukman, L., Nurwati, A., Adha, A., Nurhawara, N., & Edy, A. (2022). Strategy of kinship terms as a politeness model in maintaining social interaction: local values towards global harmony. Heliyon, 8(9), e10650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10650

Kobis, D. C., & Tomatala, M. F. (2020). Students’ Perceptions on Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang (MLBB) as Medium to Learn English. Lingua: Jurnal Ilmiah, 16(2), 22–38.

Listyantono, A. R. (2023). Bermain Game Online: Konstruksi Diri Pemain Game Mobile Legends Bang Bang. Bachelor’s thesis, Program Studi Sosiologi Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Misnawati, M., Tahir, S. Z. Bin, Sibali, A., Anwar, W. P., Basri, N., & Bahtiar, H. (2025). Teaching Collocations and Academic Phrases with Corpus Linguistics: Applications for Specific and Academic Contexts. Innovations in Language Education and Literature, 2(1), 8–20. https://doi.org/10.31605/ilere.v2i1.5033

Pasaribu, G. R., Arfianty, R., & Bunce, J. (2024). Exploring Early Childhood Linguistic Intelligence Through English Language Learning Methods. Innovations in Language Education and Literature, 1(2), 68–73. https://doi.org/10.31605/ilere.v1i2.4337

Reinhardt, J., & Sykes, J. (2014). Special issue commentary: Digital game and play activity in L2 teaching and learning. Language Learning & Technology, 18(2), 2–8.

Rijal, A. S., Suhandano, S., & Cholsy, H. (2022). The language use on instagram: Sociolinguistic studies on the speech code of netizens in the city of Makassar in buying and selling food through instagram. AMCA Journal of Community Development, 2(2), 34–41. https://doi.org/10.51773/ajcd.v2i2.143

Sinaga, Y. K., Sipayung, R. W., Herman, H., Nainggolan, A. M., Ngongo, M., Fatmawati, E., & Thao, N. Van. (2025). Enhancing English Vocabulary Through Mobile Legends: Insights from EFL Students. APTISI Transactions on Technopreneurship, 7(1), 192–205. https://doi.org/10.34306/ATT.V7I1.545

Sulistiawati, S., Hikmah, N., & Hasbi, M. (2024). Unveiling Wordsworth’s Daffodils: A Semiotic Tapestry of Signs and Symbols. GLENS: Global English Insights Journal, 1(2), 76–88. https://doi.org/10.61220/glens.v1i2.375

Thurlow, C., & Mroczek, K. (2011). Digital discourse: Language in the new media. Oxford University Press.

Waqidah, S. N., & Fajar, D. A. (2025). The influence of Mobile Legends toward students in enhancing English Language skills: A case study. Priviet Social Sciences Journal, 5(8), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.55942/pssj.v5i8.427

Yusrinawati, R. (2023). Analisis Perilaku Konsumtif Pemain Game Mobile Legends Bang Bang di ESports Indonesia Jember. Universitas Islam Indonesia.