Language Shifts and Indomie Linguistic Chaos: The Alienation of the Mother Tongue in Millennial Minangkabau Families and Its Management

Abstract

This research examines the use and status of the mother tongue among millennial Minangkabau families, focusing on the growing dominance of national and foreign languages and familial attitudes toward their heritage language. Language is not only a means of communication but also a critical aspect of identity and cultural heritage, which can have implications for mental well-being and community support structures. Fourteen families, both domestic and abroad, participated in the study. Data collection involved interviews and participant observation. Findings revealed that suburban families predominantly communicated in Indonesian and English, with Minangkabau reserved primarily for intimate interactions with older generations. The prioritization of national and foreign languages stemmed from a focus on preparing children for the future, the perceived importance of Indonesian and English, and a reluctance to use Minangkabau. Factors such as code-mixing, social pressures (including bullying and antipathy), and challenges in cultural transmission contributed to a shift toward national and foreign languages. A gradual alienation from the Minangkabau language is thus evident in the conversational spaces of millennial families, indicating an ongoing linguistic shift. This chaotic language blend disrupts the continuity of the mother tongue, contributing to its gradual disappearance from everyday use among younger generations which warrants taking careful measures and well-planned management.