Lol Ytjt Brb The Social Media Effect On The Malay And English Languages

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SOCIAL media has transformed the way people communicate, influencing language patterns across cultures and communities.
Malay and English have undergone significant changes in Malaysia due to the informal and fast-paced nature of online interactions.
While social media fosters linguistic creativity and accessibility, it also raises concerns about language integrity, formal proficiency, and long-term linguistic shifts.
The influence of social media is so widespread that it is reshaping the use of Malay and English, and it is crucial to understand whether these changes represent evolution or erosion.
The impact of social media on language use
Social media platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp encourage rapid communication, which often leads to language simplification. This shift affects both Malay and English in several significant ways:
Increased use of informal and hybrid language
The blending of Malay and English—often referred to as “Manglish”—is becoming more common in digital conversations.
Social media users, especially the younger generations, no longer write (type) in complete Malay or English sentences. Usually, they use a combination of both languages in the same sentence.
Furthermore, code-switching and code-mixing, where speakers alternate between Malay and English within a sentence, are widely accepted in online discourse (e.g., “tempat ni perfect for hangout dengan kawan2, you gais should try”).
While this flexibility enhances communication, it may reduce fluency in formal Malay and English, particularly among younger generations.
In addition, the use of emojis, GIFs and memes often serve as visual linguistic substitutes, sometimes reducing the need for complete sentences in either Malay or English.
While this enhances global communication, it may also contribute to the decline of proper language use.
(Image: Socialinsider)Abbreviations, acronyms and slang
Social media also encourages shortness and simplicity, leading to the widespread use of abbreviations such as “brb” (be right back), “idk” (I don’t know) or Malay equivalents like “tq” (terima kasih) and “sy” (saya).
Other than that, the use of slang terms also evolves rapidly, often originating from viral content and online subcultures (e.g., “fyp” from TikTok or “gais” for “guys”).
While this fosters a sense of digital identity and belonging, excessive reliance on abbreviations can weaken traditional writing skills.
Influence on spelling and grammar
Many users prioritise speed over accuracy, leading to typos and simplified spelling (e.g., “bcos” instead of “because”), as well as inconsistent and inaccurate grammar.
In Malay, traditional spelling is frequently altered to match phonetics, such as “kite” instead of “kita” or “x” as shorthand for “tak” (no/not/do not).
This trend raises concerns about whether social media habits will negatively impact students’ academic and professional writing skills in the long run.
Does social media help or harm language development?
The debate over social media’s impact on language is ongoing, with both positive and negative perspectives.
Among the benefits is language adaptability, in which online platforms encourage language innovation, making communication more dynamic and expressive.
Other than that, it is said that exposure to English-language content on social media helps non-native speakers improve comprehension and vocabulary in a fun and easy way.
Platforms like YouTube and Instagram also provide opportunities for language immersion outside the classroom.
On the other hand, there are certain drawbacks to the excessive use of social media in terms of language use and proficiency.
Overuse of informal digital language may weaken writing and speaking skills in academic and professional settings. This will most definitely affect the employability of future generations.
Furthermore, the erosion of formal Malay syntax and spelling could impact its preservation as future generations might not know the correct spelling and usage of certain words as they are not used to them.
The excessive use of Manglish may also hinder fluency in either standard Malay or English, making it difficult for speakers to transition between casual and formal contexts.
Finding a balance
(Image: DStv)Rather than rejecting digital language trends, efforts should focus on maintaining a balance between online communication styles and formal language proficiency.
So, what can we do collectively?
First of all, in this era of globalisation and the digital revolution, schools should integrate digital literacy into language education to help students distinguish between casual and formal usage.
Other than that, social media influencers, educators and content creators can encourage accurate language use while still embracing creativity.
As they are the role models that the younger audience is looking up to, it is only fitting that they should be the ones promoting the proper use of language.
Understanding when and where to use Manglish versus standard Malay and English is essential for effective communication in different settings.
Social media is undeniably reshaping the way Malay and English are used, offering both opportunities for linguistic creativity and challenges to formal language integrity.
While digital communication is an inevitable part of modern life, it is crucial to strike a balance between embracing new linguistic trends and preserving structured language skills.
By fostering awareness and adapting educational approaches, we can ensure that both Malay and English continue to evolve without losing their depth and richness.
Nor Fadhilah Ahmad Powzi is with the Department of English Language and Linguistics, Centre for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM).
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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