Excellence
Vol 6 No 1 (2026): EXCELLENCE (In Press)

The Phenomenon of Code-Mixing in College Students’ Instagram Captions: An Analysis of Identity and Digital Language Style

Nur Hasanah (STAIN MADINA)
Aisyah Mutiara Sani (STAIN MADINA)
Sri Wardani (STAIN MADINA)
Muhammad Hasyimsyah Batubara (STAIN MADINA)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jun 2026

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine code-mixing in Mandailing Natal Instagram captions written by college students, with a focus on identity construction and digital language style. Thirty Instagram captions were gathered between January and March of 2025 for this study, which uses a descriptive qualitative methodology. Documentation was used to gather data, and Muysken’s (2000) theory of code-mixing—which incorporates insertion, alternation, and congruent lexicalization—was used for analysis. The results indicate that students employ three different forms of code-mixing, with insertion being the most common. Code-mixing is used to express identity and digital language style, as well as to serve as a communication tool. It suggests that students promote themselves as contemporary, expressive, and internationally connected people by using multiple languages. According to the study’s findings, code-mixing is a significant component of students’ social media digital communication practices. It illustrates how a multilingual environment shapes linguistic identity in the digital age.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

excellence

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Other

Description

Excellence: Journal of English and English Education publishes research article studying foreign language as main object. Scopes of the journal consist of : - Linguistics: Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Discourse Analysis, Psycholinguistics, Sociolinguistics, and Critical Discourse ...