Speech Style Adaptation by Younger Generation in Social Interaction

By : Marlina; Supervised by : Muziatun, S.Pd, M.App. Ling, PhD

As an individual living in the digital era, I am very interested in how language is developing constantly, so we can see how young people use it for everyday communication. Learning language changes has strengthened my relationships with them and has also allowed me to explore their social, positive, and negative effects. Because of this change of language, it can show how cultures build identities, how the language functions, and how people are developing dynamics. This knowledge increases my passion to support future generations in developing their language skills, communicating effectively, and strengthening intergenerational relationships.

Mixing Languages and Adaptability

One of the interesting things about the younger generation's way of speaking is the mix of Indonesian with foreign languages such as English, creating a concise and creative way of speaking that reflects their cultural and personal identity. However, some people find this casual style potentially disrespectful or inappropriate. This generation is very adept at adapting their speech style for various social situations - relaxed and casual with peers, yet quick to switch to a more formal and polite tone when speaking to parents, teachers or elders, demonstrating a natural understanding of social and cultural norms.

Influences and Impacts

This flexible linguistic ability is fueled by advances in technology and social media, which quickly spread new language trends and expressions that are quickly adopted by the younger generation. For the digital generation, language is more than just a means of communication; it is a means to build relationships, form identities, and authentically express experiences and perspectives that resonate with their peers. As we navigate this ever-changing landscape, it is important to understand and appreciate their linguistic diversity, strengthen intergenerational relationships, and gain insight into the cultural and social transformations shaping our world.

We need to value the unique language styles of the younger generation as part of their identity. The education system should incorporate foreign language teaching into Indonesian to prepare them to communicate globally. Education on language etiquette on social media is essential, as well as encouraging intergenerational dialogue through joint activities to understand language and cultural differences.

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