An Analysis of Code Switching in Instagram Captions of Xaviera Putri

Abstract

Multilingual phenomenon is growing increasingly in the digital era, especially on social media platforms, making it an important space for individuals to build self-image through communication strategies. This study aims to analyze and identify the form and function of code switching in Xaviera Putri’s Instagram caption. Drawing on Hoffman’s (1991) theory, this study classified code switching  into three types, tag switching, intra-sentential code switching and inter-sentential code switching. Data were collected from Xaviera Putri’s Instagram posts in July-August 2025 by observation and note taking techniques. The results of this study show that there are 64 code switching findings in Xaviera Putri’s Instagram captions, tag switching appears 8 times, inter-sentential code switching appears 10 times and intra-sentential code switching appears 46 times as the most dominant form, where the speaker inserts two languages in one whole sentence in a flexible and natural way. This study also demonstrates that code switching not only functions as a communicative tool but also as a strategy to build self-image and to increase closeness with the audience in the digital space.