JOHOR BAHRU – In conjunction with the Festival of Languages & Cultures (FLC) 2025, which takes place from May 14th to 15th, a key forum was held on the festival’s second day at the Open Hall of the Raja Zarith Sofiah Library. Titled “The TikTok Effect: How Short Videos are Changing Language and Culture,” the forum examined TikTok’s significant impact on communication, cultural exchange, and linguistic innovation. The session was moderated by Dr. Intan Norjahan Azman. It featured two distinguished panellists: Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Hilmi Hamzah, a phonetics expert and viral TikTok creator, and Ally Iskandar, a prominent media professional with more than 25 years of experience in storytelling and content creation.
Dr. Intan opened the discussion by emphasising TikTok’s role in revolutionising communication through viral slang, trends, and memes. Dr. Hilmi highlighted how TikTok enriches vocabulary by popularising terms like “cheugy” and “slay,” while also promoting local dialects, as seen in his viral content. He stressed that this linguistic creativity influences youth communication and fosters dynamic modes of expression. Ally added that TikTok’s emphasis on brevity and humour enhances non-verbal communication, with visual elements such as GIFs, memes, and sound effects either amplifying or replacing traditional language, thereby creating more impactful, multimodal posts.
The forum also explored TikTok’s ability to transcend cultural boundaries. Dr. Hilmi explained that the platform’s “For You Page” (FYP) connects users through shared interests in entertainment, food, culture, and education, fostering a sense of global community. However, he raised concerns about cultural appropriation. Ally emphasised TikTok’s role in promoting cross-cultural understanding through viral challenges, describing users as “world citizens” who connect over shared topics while maintaining their unique cultural identities. He cautioned, though, that oversimplification could lead to inauthentic representations.
A central aspect of TikTok is its focus on self-expression. Dr. Hilmi noted that the platform encourages young people to showcase their individuality through creative language, which reshapes social interactions. Meanwhile, Ally expressed concerns that TikTok’s fast-paced, bite-sized format might limit deeper, nuanced conversations unless the content is meaningful and educational.
The discussion also touched on TikTok’s influence in traditional media and professional spheres. Dr. Hilmi highlighted its potential as an educational tool, while Ally suggested that content creation could evolve into a supplementary career, provided creators prioritise impactful messaging over mere popularity. Both acknowledged the challenges of adapting TikTok’s informal style to formal and educational contexts.
The forum concluded with an engaging Q&A session that sparked lively debates about the cultural and linguistic impact of TikTok. Dr. Intan wrapped up by emphasising TikTok’s transformative role in blending creativity, language, and culture, underscoring that as short-form video continues to evolve, its influence on global communication and cultural exchange is just beginning to unfold.
Prepared by: Lokman Hafiz Asary & Dr Intan Norjahan Azman (Language Academy)