Students' Language Preferences in Social Media

In the digital era, social media platforms have become essential spaces for communication, self-expression, and identity formation. This study examines university students' language preferences on social media, explores the factors influencing these choices, and analyzes the implications for communication and identity. Utilizing a qualitative research design, data were collected from 105 university students through a questionnaire comprising both close-ended and open-ended questions. The findings reveal that Bahasa Indonesia is the most frequently used language on social media, followed by regional languages such as Javanese and Sundanese, and foreign languages like English. Participants' language choices are influenced by factors such as comfort, habit, audience adaptation, and the desire for creative expression. A significant number of participants engage in translanguaging, combining multiple languages within a single post to express specific meanings, adapt to different audiences, and showcase their linguistic dexterity. The study also highlights the profound impact of language use on participants' sense of identity, with language choices reflecting cultural background, personal values, and social affiliations. Additionally, participants adjust their language use based on the social media platform, considering audience, content type, and platform norms. These findings provide valuable insights into the sociolinguistic trends in digital communication, particularly within multilingual settings, and underscore the importance of linguistic flexibility in expressing identity and navigating different social contexts.