THE USE OF ACEHNESE PERSONA PRONOUNS AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION

Abstract

This study discusses the use of persona pronouns in Acehnese among the younger generation with a focus on forms, patterns, and social factors that affect its use. The phenomenon of a shift in the use of traditional Acehnese pronouns, such as lon, droeneuh, gata, and kah, began to be replaced by terms in Indonesian, foreign languages, as well as slang terms such as sayang, beb, anti, and bro. This study uses a qualitative approach with a sociolinguistic descriptive method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participatory observation, and documentation of young people aged 15–25 years in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar. The results of the study show that the use of pronouns has undergone a significant shift influenced by social media, education, social environment, and religious identity. This shift not only has an impact on linguistic aspects, but also reflects changes in cultural values and local identities. This research is expected to contribute to efforts to preserve the Acehnese language in the midst of social dynamics and modernization.