YOUTH ROLE IN PRESERVING ACEHNESE LANGUAGES WHILE ENGLISH CONTINUES TO GROW

An international language, English, is a crucial tool for communication and interaction. In fact, it is known as a lingua franca. It is used among young people around the world with various background, both in virtual and real realms, and interaction happened. At this point, English becomes an excellent option to share ideas and preserve the Acehnese dialect. While English spreads rapidly, young people can effectively preserve it by strengthening local events. It is clear that with this idea, English and supporting local events can sustain Acehnese vernacular, as they promote curiosity among outsiders and the identity does not disappear.

In today’s era, young people use social media to find and share information quickly. The use of social media is an effective way to preserve and disseminate the Acehnese language, which was previously only known and spoken by Acehnese people. Through social media, it can spread more widely without the limitations of space and time. Additionally, to attract people to watch, English can be used as the language of instruction so that the content presented can be understood by people from anywhere. For instance, the younger generation creates educational content about Acehnese which are delivered in English. Thus, the content not only attracts Indonesian audiences but also can increase the interest of people from around the world to learn Acehnese. Consequently, social media plays a crucial role in helping Aceh’s young generation to preserve their language.

In addition, younger generation also have a vital role in maintaining their language through direct involvement in cultural activities. Through these activities, they can directly hear, practice, and communicate using the Acehnese language in real-life situations. For instance, during traditional Acehnese events such as kenduri, peusijuk, maulid celebrations, seu mano pucok traditions, gampong gatherings, and local cultural festivals, they actively use the language while participating in the events. These experiences help them stay closely connected to their Acehnese identity, values, and traditions, even though English continues to grow as a global language. As a result, the younger generation can eagerly practice and maintain their Acehnese language by participating in local events and cultural activities.

In conclusion, the combination of the use of English and support for local activities is an effective strategy for the younger generation in efforts to preserve the Acehnese language. This can be achieved through the creative active role their in utilizing social media as a platform to spread Acehnese content. Moreover, the direct involvement of the youth generation is a key factor in disseminating and preserving the Acehnese language, so it can be more widely known globally while maintaining the purity of Acehnese values and traditions. Therefore, the efforts of the younger generation must continue to be supported so that their mastery of the English language does not replace the Acehnese language but instead serves as a powerful tool to introduce the Acehnese language to the global level.

Member of the Group 7:

• Ghina Hasnah Isnawan G. (2406102020085)
• Insyirah Fidarina (2406102020095)
• Lia Safira (2406102020110)
• Nadila Fitria (2406102020111)
• Teuku Rafie (2406102020094)
• Naila Ramadhani (2406102020112)

Prodi/kampus: Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Universitas Syiah Kuala