Language Analysis Of Identity

Identity is probably a concept that everyone is familiar with. Yet, the process of defining it and putting it into words “that captures the range of its present meanings” (Fearon, 1999, p.2) may be very difficult to accomplish. There are multiple attempts in defining what identity is, but essentially, identity can be divided into two based on individuality that refers to the set of characteristics that define one’s self as well as collectivity which is a sense of belonging (Fearon, 1999). Hogg and Abrams (1988) also propose a similar definition they believe that identity is “people’s concepts of who they are, of what sort of people they are, and how they relate to others” (p.2). These definitions indicate that there is not a single identity

120). Language is also as defined by Hall (1997) is “the privileged medium in which we make sense of things, in which meaning is produced and exchanged” (p. 1). This meaning, as proposed by Hall (1997), is what shapes us in a way that it gives us the understanding of our very own self; our sense of self and belonging. Thus, in other words, language plays an important role the construction of one’s identity since language is used to represent identity.

The theories mentioned above will be used to support the analysis of several tweets by Indonesians who live in Indonesia on their attitudes towards the English language to find out about their identity with regard to postcolonialism. I took several tweets that had the word Inggris which were tweeted by several Indonesian people and the results are as

In his tweet, he says “sometimes it’s hard to speak purely in bahasa Indonesia, because in English it just hit the feels better, when it is translated, it loses the feeling.. see, it does not fit when using rasa ”. Mars also disclose the fact that he is more comfortable using English because the feeling or sense that is created is different. This implies that he also views English as a somewhat superior language that creates a better feeling or sense even though the word ‘rasa’ has a similar meaning with ‘feel’. Talking about the feeling that is created, “pluto” also experiences they same thing. However, in his case, it is not when he speaks it, but when he reads subtitles. He prefers reading english subtitles rather than Indonesian subtittles. He states in his tweet “I don’t know why, but when watching dramas from other countries it is more comfortable to use english subtitles than indonesian. The feeling that is received just fits better.” This especialy shows his attitutde that is in favor of the English language. It would mean differently if he preferred english subtittles for example, because the subtitles in english is easier to be understand. However, his reason in preferring english sublittles is only because he thinks he gets a better sense form the english language which indicates how he is more comprtable in using english,