Journal La Edusci
Vol. 7 No. 4 (2026): Journal La Edusci

Linguistic Microaggressions in Indigenous Educational Community Environments: A Pragmatic Study of Language Use

Nuzmi Sasferi (Tarbiyah and Teacher Training Faculty, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kerinci, Sungai Penuh 37152, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Jun 2026

Abstract

Linguistic microaggression is a subtle form of discriminatory communication that frequently occurs in multicultural educational interactions and may affect social relationships, cultural identity, and language practices within indigenous communities. This study aimed to examine the forms and levels of linguistic microaggression in indigenous community environments and to analyze the relationship between indigenous educational environments and pragmatic language politeness. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 30 participants representing native-speaking communities, religious education communities, and migrant communities in Kerinci and Sungai Penuh through a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman rank correlation. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews, conversational observations, and naturalistic recordings and analyzed using thematic analysis. The quantitative findings revealed significant differences in pragmatic language politeness among the three community groups (χ² = 29.000, p < 0.001). A strong positive relationship was found between intercultural and ethnolinguistic engagement and pragmatic language politeness (ρ = 0.866, p < 0.001), while linguistic microaggression dimensions showed moderate negative correlations with pragmatic language politeness (ρ = −0.500, p < 0.05). Qualitative findings identified recurring patterns of microinsult, microinvalidation, and microassault, alongside mitigation, face-saving, and intercultural adaptation strategies used to maintain social harmony. The study concludes that linguistic microaggression is closely associated with sociocultural values, identity negotiation, and power relations, while indigenous education contributes to the development of pragmatic sensitivity and culturally respectful communication.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JournalLaEdusci

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Mathematics Social Sciences Other

Description

Journal La Edusci ISSN 2721-1258 (Online) and ISSN 2721-0979 (Print) includes all the areas of research activities in all fields of Education such as Teacher education, Population education, Vocational education, Value education, Psychological education, Educational counseling, Educational ...