Local Dialects as a Bridge to Intercultural Communication: Migrant Students’ Linguistic Adaptation and Social Integration in an Indonesian University

This study aimed to explore the role of Palembang-Malay-Lubuklinggau dialect as a bridging language for intercultural communication among migrant students at Universitas PGRI Silampari. This study employed a case study design involving two purposefully selected migrant students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed by using thematic analysis. The result showed that PMLD language was significantly useful in the communication between migrant and local students. The dialect enabled students to develop social relationships, improve their communication skills and foster a stronger sense of community at the university. The results also revealed that migrant students encountered a variety of problems, such as unfamiliar vocabulary, different pronunciation, and problems understanding fast speech. The students used a variety of adaptation strategies to cope with these challenges such as asking questions, practicing vocabulary, listening to local speakers, and actively participating in social interactions. The research finds that the Palembang-Malay-Lubuklinggau dialect is not only a means of communication but also a social bridge to intercultural understanding, social integration and cultural adaptation among the migrant students of Universitas PGRI Silampari.