Meulaboh – The Sociolinguistics class led by Rena Juliana, M.Pd., at the English Education Department (Tadris Bahasa Inggris), STAIN Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh, had the privilege of hosting Dr. Hj. Meinarni Susilowati, M.Ed., as a guest lecturer, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Dr. Meinarni from UIN Malang shared her insights on the topic of “Language and Gender.”

This engaging and interactive session offered students new perspectives on the relationship between language and gender, a relevant theme in sociolinguistic studies. Dr. Meinarni also expressed her intention to donate a limited number of books on the subject to support student learning.

During the session, Rena Juliana provided a summary of the material covered so far and introduced a small project for the students. This project encourages students to investigate language phenomena within society, divided into three research groups.

One group will investigate the efforts to preserve regional languages amid the pressures of modernization, providing insights into language maintenance practices. Another group will explore the diversity of Acehnese dialects, examining their unique characteristics and differences. A third group is set to delve into the evolution of slang, studying its development and role within the local society.

The collaboration with Dr. Meinarni has greatly motivated students to delve deeper into the sociolinguistic aspects surrounding them.