TYPING IN TWO TONGUES: DIGITAL SOCIOLINGUISTICS AND THE RISE OF CODE MIXING IN INDONESIA

Abstract

Social media has become a dynamic space where linguistic boundaries are continuously negotiated, and Indonesian–English code-mixing is increasingly visible in everyday online communication. However, research on multilingualism in Indonesia has largely focused on offline, face-to-face settings, leaving limited empirical understanding of how code-mixing operates in digital environments and how it is connected to identity construction. This study addresses that gap by examining Indonesian–English code-mixing on TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp through the lens of digital sociolinguistics and digital translanguaging. It aims to (1) identify the linguistic patterns of code-mixing, (2) examine its social and cultural functions, and (3) interpret how it constructs online identity. A qualitative design combining content analysis and discourse analysis was employed, drawing on public posts, comments, and WhatsApp excerpts, supported by interviews with users. The data were analyzed using Muysken's typology of code-mixing and thematic analysis. The findings reveal three recurring patterns: insertion of English lexical items into Indonesian sentences, alternation between Indonesian and English, and incorporation of regional languages for humor or emphasis. These practices are motivated by the desire to signal modernity and global awareness, enhance humor and creativity, and strengthen in-group identity, and users demonstrate clear awareness of their language choices. The study concludes that online code-mixing is not a sign of limited proficiency but a strategic form of identity performance that reflects shifting language norms among younger generations. These findings have implications for language education, digital literacy, and language policy in multilingual Indonesia.

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