Exploring the Communicative Functions of Code-Switching in Maudy Ayunda’s ‘Thoughts on the Power of Language’
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v14i1.10221Keywords:
Code-switching, Communicative Function, SociolinguisticsAbstract
This study explores the functions of code-switching in the digital discourse of Maudy Ayunda, an Indonesian public figure, particularly in her YouTube video “Thoughts on the Power of Language.” Utilizing a qualitative research approach, data were collected from her video that included both Indonesian and English. The analysis follows a systematic coding process based on Gumperz’s (1982) and Marasigan’s (1983) frameworks. Findings reveal that Maudy strategically employs code-switching to enhance engagement with diverse audiences, emphasize key points, and navigate between personal experiences and global perspectives. The study highlights the role of bilingual discourse as a powerful tool for identity construction and audience engagement in contemporary Indonesia, reflecting broader sociolinguistic trends where English proficiency is associated with educational and professional opportunities. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how bilingual individuals leverage multiple languages in digital interactions to fulfill various communicative functions.
References
Arikunto, S. (1990). Prosedur Penelitian: Suatu Pendekatan Praktik. Jakarta: Rineka Cipta.
Auer, P. (Ed.). (1998). Code-switching in conversation: Language, interaction, and identity. Routledge.
Baker, C., & Wright, W. E. (2017). Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism. Multilingual Matters.
Bhatia, T. K., & Ritchie, W. C. (2013). The handbook of bilingualism and multilingualism. Wiley-Blackwell.
Canagarajah, S. (2013). Translingual practice: Global Englishes and cosmopolitan relations. Routledge.
Crystal, D. (2003). English as a global language (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Denzin, N.K., & Lincoln, Y.S. (1987). The Research Handbook: Qualitative Research. Newbury Park: Sage.
Dornyei, Z., & Ushioda, E. (2009). Motivation, language identity and the L2 self. Multilingual Matters.
Garcia, O., & Wei, L. (2014). Translanguaging: Language, bilingualism and education. Palgrave Macmillan.
Grosjean, F. (1982). Life with two languages: An introduction to bilingualism. Harvard University Press.
Gumperz, J. J. (1977). The sociolinguistic significance of conversational code-switching. RELCS Journal, 8(2), 1–34.
Halim, N. S., & Maros, M. (2013). The functions of code-switching in Facebook interactions. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 118, 126–133.
Holmes, J. (2013). An Introduction to Sociolinguistic (Fourth Edition). New York: Routledge.
Jendra, I. I. (2010). Sociolinguistics: The study of societies' languages. Graha Ilmu.
Kachru, B. B. (1992). The other tongue: English across cultures. University of Illinois Press.
Khafaga, A., Smith, J., & Doe, R. (2024). The role of code-switching in bilingual communication. Journal of Linguistic Studies, 12(3), 45-67.
Marasigan, E. (1983). Code-switching and code-mixing in multilingual societies: A sociolinguistic perspective. Singapore University Press.
Moleong, L. J., Prof., M.M. (2009). Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif (Edisi Revisi). Bandung: Remaja Rosdakarya.
Muysken, P. (2000). Bilingual speech: A typology of code-mixing. Cambridge University Press.
Myers-Scotton, C. (1993). Social motivations for code-switching: Evidence from Africa. Oxford University Press.
Namba, K. (2005). Code-switching in bilingual children. International Journal of Bilingualism, 9(1), 57–84.
Oxford, R.L. (2008). Language Learning Strategies: What Every Teacher Should Know (2nd ed.). Boston: Heinle Cengage.
Pfaff, C. W. (1979). Constraints on language mixing: Intrasentential code-switching and borrowing in Spanish/English. Language, 55(2), 291–318.
Poplack, S. (1980). Sometimes I'll start a sentence in Spanish y termino en Español: Toward a typology of code-switching. Linguistics, 18(7-8), 581–618.
Poplack, S. (2001). Code-switching (linguistic). In N. Smelser & P. Baltes (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (pp. 2062–2065). Pergamon.
Risdianto, F. (2013). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. Salatiga: STAIN Salatiga Press.
Setiyono, D. (2009). Language and identity: Code-switching in sociolinguistic studies. Yogyakarta: Graha Ilmu.
Shodieva, M. (2024). Sociolinguistic Approaches: Understanding Language in Social Contexts. Modern Science and Research, 3(1), 69-75.
Tektigul, Z., Bayadilova-Altybayev, A., Sadykova, S., Iskindirova, S., Kushkimbayeva, A., & Zhumagul, D. (2023). Language is a symbol system that carries culture. International Journal of Society, Culture & Language, 11(1), 203-214.
Wardhaugh, R. (2006). An Introduction to Sociolinguistics (Fifth Edition). United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Alfin Rosyidha, Naila Rohmah, Girindra Putri Ardana Reswari, Fitri Alfarisy

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See the Effect of Open Access)
