DIALECTAL VARIATION AND COMMUNICATIVE ACCOMMODATION AMONG BANGGAI AND GORONTALO STUDENTS IN A MULTICULTURAL CAMPUS CONTEXT

Syah Gita Agatha Nopallina (Universitas Negeri Gorontalo)
Dwi Mutmaina Pratiwi Talalu (Universitas Negeri Gorontalo)
Aulia Maulid Latangka (Universitas Negeri Gorontalo)
Muziatun Muziatun (Universitas Negeri Gorontalo)

Jurnal Review Pendidikan dan Pengajaran (JRPP)
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): Vol. 9 No. 2 Tahun 2026

This study examines dialectal variation and communication strategies among Banggai and Gorontalo students at Universitas Negeri Gorontalo. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews and observations of students’ informal interactions. The findings show that dialectal differences appear in vocabulary choice, pronunciation, particles, forms of address, and intonation. These differences sometimes create misunderstanding, particularly when directness or high intonation is interpreted differently by students from another regional background. However, students also employ several communication strategies, including switching to Indonesian, clarifying meaning, adjusting tone, and using familiar expressions to maintain solidarity. The study suggests that dialectal variation in campus interaction is not merely a linguistic difference, but also a marker of identity, solidarity, and intercultural negotiation.