Language as Social Identity: A Sociolinguistic Analysis in a Multilingual Society
Keywords:
Language, Social Identity, Sociolinguistics, Multilingual Society, Language Choice, Code-Switching.Abstract
Language functions not only as a medium of communication but also as a powerful marker of social identity, reflecting individuals’ cultural backgrounds, social affiliations, and ideological orientations. In multilingual societies, the use of language becomes increasingly complex, as speakers continuously negotiate identity through language choice, code-switching, and linguistic variation. This study aims to analyze the role of language in constructing and expressing social identity within a multilingual social context. Using a sociolinguistic approach, the research examines how factors such as ethnicity, social class, education, and power relations influence language practices in everyday interactions. Data are collected through observations, in-depth interviews, and discourse analysis involving speakers from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The findings indicate that language choice serves as a strategic tool for inclusion and exclusion, solidarity and distinction, as well as resistance and adaptation in multicultural settings. Moreover, multilingual speakers often employ linguistic hybridity to navigate social boundaries and assert multiple identities simultaneously. This study contributes to sociolinguistic scholarship by highlighting the dynamic relationship between language and social identity in multilingual societies and underscores the importance of linguistic awareness in fostering social cohesion and cultural understanding.
References
Ahyar, Dini Fazriah Nur, E Kosasih, and Isah Cahyani. “Analisis Retorika Ustadz Abdul Somad Sebagai Bahan Pembelajaran Teks Ceramah.” Internasional Riksa Bahasa 1, no. 1 (2019): 1185–90.
Akkari, Abdeljalil, and Colleen Loomis. “Introduction-Opening Educational Systems to Cultural Diversity: International and Comparative Perspectives.” Prospects 42, no. 2 (2012): 137–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-012-9234-x.
Al-Jauhari, Ahmad. Maharah Al-Kitabah: Teori Dan Praktik Dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Arab. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2015.
Amanda, Salsabila, Hotimin Hotimin, and Mulhendra Mulhendra. “Learning Mahaarah Al-Qiraa’ah Using Hijaiyyah Card Media in Islamic Elementary Schools.” Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Teknologi 5, no. 4 (2024): 1793–97. https://doi.org/10.59141/jist.v5i4.1017.
Amirah Budi, Nurwafiqah, Sitti Aida Aziz, and Siti Suwadah Rimang. “Gaya Bahasa Sindiran Pada Media Sosial.” Jurnal Sinestesia 13, no. 1 (2023): 163–74. https://sinestesia.pustaka.my.id/journal/article/view/309.
Angkouw, Gabriel James. “Scriptural Reasoning: Peran Kitab Keagamaan Dalam Pendidikan Agama Multikultural Di Young Interfaith Peacemaker Community Indonesia.” Al-Adabiya: Jurnal Kebudayaan Dan Keagamaan 15, no. 01 (2020): 69–91. https://doi.org/10.37680/adabiya.v15i01.410.
Annisa, Fatmawati, and Pratiwi Husain Alma. “Problematika Pembelajaran Bahasa Arab Di IAIN Fattahul Muluk Papua.” Jurnal Cahaya Mandalika, 2016, 1–23.
Antoro, Kurniawan Dwi, Rahmawati Eka Nurhidayah, and M Makhrus Ali. “Qur ’ Anic Persfective on Science : I Mplications for Islamic Education Curriculum.” JISEI: Journal of Islamic Studies and Educational Innovation 01, no. 01 (2025): 1–9.
Creswell, John W, William E Hanson, Vicki L Clark Plano, William E Hanson, and Vicki L Plano Clark. “The Counseling Psychologist Qualitative Research Designs : Selection and Implementation,” 2007. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000006287390.
Fenoll, Vicente, Isabella Gonçalves, and Márton Bene. “Divisive Issues, Polarization, and Users’ Reactions on Facebook: Comparing Campaigning in Latin America.” Politics and Governance 12 (2024): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.7957.
Hibatillah, H M. “The Concpet of Akhlaq in Islamic Educational Curriculum.” Educational Review: International Journal 19, no. 3 (2020): 7–17.
Huberman, A. Michael, and Saldana Jhonny. Qualitative Data Analysis a Methods Sourcebook. America: Arizona State University, 2014.
Kamal, Irsyad, Egi Arvian Firmansyah, Kurnia Khafidhatur Rafiah, Adil Falah Rahmawan, and Cattleya Rejito. “Pembelajaran Di Era 4.0,” no. November (2020): 265–76.
Kioupi, Vasiliki, and Nikolaos Voulvoulis. “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Assessing the Contribution of Higher Education Programmes Vasiliki.” Sustainability (Switzerland) 12, no. 17 (2020).
Kosasih. “Nilai-Nilai Moral Dalam Karya Sastra Melayu Klasik.” SUSURGALUR: Jurnal Kajian Sejarah & Pendidikan Sejarah 1, no. 1 (2013): 11–26.
Maulina, Yeni, and Khairul Azmi. “Gaya Bahasa Dalam Pepatah Adat Masyarakat Petalangan Riau.” Madah: Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra 10, no. 2 (2019): 285. https://doi.org/10.31503/madah.v10i2.981.
Penilaian, Mengembangkan, Berbasis Kinerja, Dalam Pembelajaran, Pendidikan Jasmani, and Olahraga Kesehatan. “Mengembangkan Penilaian Berbasis Kinerja Dalam Pembelajaran Pendidikan Jasmani Olahraga Kesehatan.” 159 Jpji 8, no. 2 (2011). https://journal.uny.ac.id/index.php/jpji/article/view/3496.
Pinder, Daniel William. “Line Divisions as Stylistic Devices in Poetry: Relevance, Procedural Encoding and Ad Hoc Concepts.” Journal of Pragmatics 190 (2022): 45–59. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2021.10.020.
Rahima, Ade. “Revitalisasi Bahasa Dokumentasi Bahasa.” Pengabdian Deli Sumatera 3, no. 1 (2024): 56–61.
Sugiyono. Metode Penelitian Pendidikan (Pendekatan Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, Dan R&D). Bandung: Alfabeta, 2015.
Suhantoro, Syahrudin, Roni Susanto, and Darul Lailatul Qomariyah. “Operationalising Islamic Moderation in Digital Communication : Ethical Pathways to Counter Social Polarisation in Indonesia.” Muharik: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Sosial 8, no. 2 (2025): 267–76. https://doi.org/10.37680/muharrik.v8i2.7679.
Suhendra, Suhendra, and Feny Selly Pratiwi. “Peran Komunikasi Digital Dalam Pembentukan Opini Publik: Studi Kasus Media Sosial.” Iapa Proceedings Conference, 2024, 293. https://doi.org/10.30589/proceedings.2024.1059.
Supriyanti, Dewi Kurniawati, and Roni Susanto. “Analysis of the Minister of Education ’ s Curriculum Policy in the 2019-2024 Vs . 2024-2029 Era.” Qalamuna: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial, Dan Agama 17, no. 1 (2025): 741–54. https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v17i1.7127.
Susanto, Roni, Ahmad Munir, and Basuki Basuki. “Preserving the Authenticity of Qirā’āt Sab’ah : A Comparative Study of Musy ā Fahah Methods at Al-Hasan and Al-Munawwir Boarding School.” Dialogia : Jurnal Studi Islam Dan Sosial 23, no. 01 (2025): 101–21. https://doi.org/10.21154/dialogia.v23i01.10500.
Susanto, Roni, and Sugiyar. “Implementation of Mutammimah Book Learning on the Reading Ability of Kutub Al-Turats at Madrasah Riyadlotusy Syubban Ponorogo.” Edukasi Lingua Sastra 21, no. 1 (2023): 207–2017. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47637/elsa.v21i2.667.
Syahrudin, and Susanto Roni. “The Role of Digital Technology in Preserving Local Culture: A Case Study of Indigenous Communities in Kalimantan.” Al-Ufuq : Jurnal Humaniora Dan Ilmu Sosial 1, no. 1 (2025): 1–15. https://jurnalpasca.staiibnurusyd.ac.id/index.php/al-ufuq/article/view/31.
Ulfatun, Ulfatun. “Analisis Penggunaan Gaya Bahasa Sarkasme Netizen Di Media Sosial Instagram.” Jurnal Onoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa, Dan Sastra 7, no. 2 (2021): 411–23. https://doi.org/10.30605/onoma.v7i2.1255.
Wahyu, Widodo, Roni Susanto, and Kolis Nur. “The Relevance KI Hajar Dewantara’s Thinking on Multicultural Educational Values.” International Conference on Islam, Law, and Society (INCOILS) Conference Proceedings 2023 2, no. 2 (2023): 93. https://doi.org/10.24198/jkrk.v2i2.28154.
Yahuda, Robbin Dayyan, Roni Susanto, Wahyu Widodo, and Nur Kolis. “Totally Muslim Truly Intellectual-Based Holistic Education in Postgraduate Programs.” Qalamuna: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial, Dan Agama 16, no. 2 (2024): 1399–1410. https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v16i2.4104.
Yahuda, Robbin Dayyan, Roni Susanto, Wahyu Widodo, Nur Kolis, and Bagas Abdillah. “Musafahah Method Transformation on Learning Qiraah Sab’ah in PPTQ Al-Hasan Ponorogo.” Masdar Jurnal Studi Al-Qur’an & Hadis 5, no. 2 (2023). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15548/mashdar.v5i2.7293.
