When Indonesian is Not Enough: English as an Emotional and Pragmatic Resource in Indonesian Digital Communication

Abstract

English expressions have become increasingly common in Indonesian digital communication, including in contexts involving emotions, relationships, self-care, and personal experiences. This study examines why Indonesian digital users choose English expressions when Indonesian equivalents are available and investigates the pragmatic functions performed by such choices. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, the study analyzes publicly accessible digital communication containing English expressions related to emotional and interpersonal experiences. The data are analyzed by comparing English expressions with their Indonesian equivalents and interpreting their contextual functions through Mey’s Pragmatic Act Theory. The analysis shows that expressions such as healing, toxic, overthinking, burnout, and I need space function beyond simple lexical substitution or code-mixing. They are used to express emotional states, evaluate interpersonal relationships, establish personal boundaries, and manage emotional distance. The findings suggest that English provides Indonesian digital users with a particular linguistic resource for framing and communicating emotionally sensitive experiences. The study therefore argues that Indonesian-English multilingual practices in digital communication should be examined not only in terms of linguistic form but also in terms of the pragmatic consequences of language choice. By shifting attention from the presence of English to the communicative work performed through English, this study contributes to the understanding of multilingualism, digital communication, and pragmatic language use in contemporary Indonesian society.