A SOCIOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF CHANGE IN IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: GEN Z AND MILLENNIALS

Abstract

This study explores a sociolinguistic analysis to investigate the impact of understanding and using idioms on social media on attitudes towards language change, focusing on Generation Z and Millennials in Pakistan. The purpose is to empirically test the relationships between these variables within a multilingual, digitally evolving context. Methodologically, the research employs a quantitative design, collecting primary data via an online survey using a Likert-scale questionnaire from a sample of 209 respondents, recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Data analysis, including reliability checks and regression, was performed using SPSS version 27. The results demonstrated high internal consistency for all measurement scales and provided strong empirical support for the hypotheses. Regression analysis revealed that both understanding and usage of idioms on social media are significant positive predictors of favorable attitudes toward language change, with these two factors collectively explaining 63% of the variance in attitudes. The findings indicate that active digital engagement with linguistic innovation is a key driver of acceptance for language evolution among Pakistani youth. Practically, this research highlights the need for educators and language policymakers to recognize and potentially integrate the creative, fluid language practices of digital natives into more formal language learning and preservation strategies, acknowledging social media as a legitimate site of contemporary linguistic development.