Code-Mixing in Digital Communication Among EFL Students in Eastern Indonesia

Authors

  • Ibrahim Ibrahim Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong, Indonesia
  • Fitri Fatika Astini Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong, Indonesia
  • Dian Saputra Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong, Indonesia
  • Lukman Hakim Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia

Keywords:

Code-mixing, Digital Communication, EFL Students, Multilingualism, Social Media

Abstract

In today’s digitally connected world, code-mixing is a key feature of multilingual communication, particularly among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in informal online interactions. While digital multilingualism has gained scholarly attention, little is known about how students in peripheral regions such as Eastern Indonesia engage in code-mixing in their daily digital practices. This study investigates how EFL students at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong use code-mixing on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through social media observation, screenshot analysis, and semi-structured interviews with purposively selected students from the 3rd, 5th, and 7th semesters. Findings reveal frequent integration of Indonesian, English, and local languages in captions, comments, text messages, and status updates. Code-mixing serves functional and stylistic purposes, such as expressing emotions, narrating experiences, and shaping modern identities, with English use linked to prestige and global trends. Rather than random, it is context-dependent, influenced by audience, topic, and platform. The study highlights code-mixing as a strategic communicative resource and offers implications for pedagogy, digital literacy policy, and future research.

Author Biographies

Ibrahim Ibrahim, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong

Department of English Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong, Barat Daya, Jl. Pendidikan No.27, Southwest Papua, Indonesia

Fitri Fatika Astini, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong

Department of English Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong, Barat Daya, Jl. Pendidikan No.27, Southwest Papua, Indonesia

Dian Saputra, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong

Department of English Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong, Barat Daya, Jl. Pendidikan No.27, Southwest Papua, Indonesia

Lukman Hakim, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan

Communication Science Department, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Jl. Ringroad Selatan, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia

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Published

2025-10-30

How to Cite

Ibrahim, I., Astini, F. F., Saputra, D., & Hakim, L. (2025). Code-Mixing in Digital Communication Among EFL Students in Eastern Indonesia. JOLLT Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 13(4), 2205–2216. Retrieved from https://ojspanel.undikma.ac.id/index.php/jollt/article/view/16878

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 4 (2025): October

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