Accent Erosion and the Negotiation of Youth Identity in Coastal West-South Aceh

Abstract

This study explores the phenomenon of accent erosion among youth in the coastal region of West-South Aceh (Barsela) and its implications for identity negotiation in a rapidly changing sociolinguistic environment. While Acehnese dialects have long served as markers of local belonging, generational shifts influenced by standardized Indonesian, schooling, migration, and digital media have reshaped patterns of speech. Through qualitative methods involving phonological observation, interviews with different age groups, and perception surveys, this research documents how accent features are fading and how young speakers reinterpret their linguistic choices. Findings suggest that accent erosion does not simply represent loss, but rather a complex negotiation in which youth balance local identity with aspirations for wider intelligibility and social mobility. Older generations often perceive these shifts as threats to cultural continuity, while younger speakers see them as part of adaptation to broader networks. The study highlights the need to approach accent change not only as a linguistic process but also as a cultural and educational challenge. Ultimately, it argues for the importance of innovative strategies—such as digital learning tools and awareness programs—to sustain dialectal diversity while acknowledging the evolving identity of Barsela’s younger generation.