Indonesian–English Code-Switching and Social Meaning Among Generation Alpha Children in a Community Library

Muhammad Zuhri Dj; Ferawaty Syam; Mustaqimah Mustaqimah

doi:10.24256/itj.v8i2.12388

Authors

Muhammad Zuhri Dj Institut Agama Islam Negeri Bone, Indonesia
Ferawaty Syam Politeknik Negeri Media Kreatif, Indonesia
Mustaqimah STAI Darud Da'wah wal Irsyad Parepare, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24256/itj.v8i2.12388

Keywords:

Bilingual Generation Alpha Children, Code-Switching, Indonesian–English, Language Use, Sociolinguistics

Abstract

This study investigates the communicative and interpersonal meanings of Indonesian–English code-switching among Generation Alpha children engaged in literacy activities at the Cerdas Desaku Village Library in Usa Village, Bone Regency, South Sulawesi. The study examined spontaneously occurring peer relationships captured during literacy-related activities using a qualitative descriptive design. Field notes and follow-up interviews with 12 participants aged 10 to 12 supported the analysis. The study identified and analyzed the linguistic form, communicative function, interactional environment, and participants' explanations of code-switching events. The results show that the observed switches were primarily English words and phrases embedded in exchanges dominated by Indonesian. The switches served several context-dependent functions, such as interaction management, activity reference, appraisal, and emphasis. Additionally, the interactional data suggest that certain English expressions functioned as shared resources in peer exchanges, even if their social meanings relied more on the surrounding interaction than on the expressions themselves. The results suggest that participants had access to English language resources within a communicative repertoire dominated by Indonesian. The study views code-switching as a context-sensitive communicative behavior shaped by the participants' immediate interactional environment, rather than treating individual English statements as clear proof of bilingual skill.

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