“Lon Ureung Aceh Check!”: Social Media Gamification for Acehnese Language Maintenance among Digital Natives

Abstract

The use of the Acehnese language among Acehnese youth has declined significantly due to globalization, reduced intergenerational transmission, and the dominance of national and global languages in everyday and digital communication. This paper proposes the use of local language gamification on social media as an innovative approach to maintain local languages among younger generations who are known as digital natives. The project integrates game-like interaction through an Instagram quiz filter that combines visual play with speech recognition. Conceptually developed using Meta Spark AR Studio, the design challenge users to pronounce Acehnese words correctly in order to advance through fun, culturally themed levels. The gameplay consists of three levels: everyday expressions (e.g., Peu haba?, Haba get, Jeut), polite phrases (e.g., Teurimong geunaseh, Meu’ah), and cultural idioms (e.g., Phui tuleung, Pajoh jalo toh kapai). Correct pronunciation allows a virtual object to pass through a hole, accompanied by traditional Acehnese sound effects. The design emphasizes accessibility, engagement, and the promotion of cultural identity, demonstrating how lightweight interactive filters can function as tools for micro-learning and community-based language maintenance. Overall, this study highlights the potential of AI-supported gamified media as a creative, low-barrier strategy for preserving and promoting minority languages in the digital era.