The Influence of Social Factors on Language Change Among the Younger Generation
Keywords:
Language Change, Social Factors, Young Generation, Social Media, SociolinguisticsAbstract
This research is motivated by the rapid phenomenon of language change driven by technological advancement, social media, and cross-cultural interaction. This study aims to examine the influence of social factors on language change among Indonesian youth. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, using observation and semi-structured interviews with participants aged 15–25 from diverse social backgrounds. The findings indicate that the younger generation serves as a primary driver of language change, largely influenced by their receptiveness to emerging trends and digital technologies. Social media acts as a catalyst for disseminating new vocabulary, while cross-cultural exposure enriches linguistic variation through the borrowing of foreign words. Social environment, popular culture, education level, and social class also shape vocabulary, style, and pragmatic flexibility. Observable language changes include lexical borrowing, widespread use of abbreviations, and semantic shifts. This phenomenon enhances linguistic creativity and strengthens community bonds. However, without proper language awareness, it may also undermine mastery of the standard language. Therefore, adaptive language preservation strategies are recommended, incorporating new variations into education while maintaining the integrity of Indonesian linguistic norms
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