The Language Development Agency discloses that 11 regional languages in Indonesia are categorized as extinct, 4 languages in critical condition, 19 languages are threatened by extinction.
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Kompas/Ester Lince Napitupulu
A teacher uses storytelling as a learning tool at an early childhood education center (PAUD) as part of the PAUD Festival 2017 in May, organized by the Culture and Education Ministry in Jakarta.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Between 2011 and 2017, the Education and Culture Ministry, through the Language Development Agency carried out an assessment of the vitality or endurance of 71 local languages throughout the country. The results show that only 19 of the local languages were declared to have a safe status, while the reminder were very alarming.
The agency discloses that 11 regional languages in Indonesia are categorized as extinct, 4 languages in critical condition, 19 languages are threatened by extinction, 2 languages have experienced regression, and 16 languages are in vulnerable condition. Overall, in Indonesia there are 652 local languages that can be documented and only 71 local languages can be tested for their durability.
"Regional languages in extinction are mostly in the eastern part of Indonesia, such as Maluku, North Maluku and Papua," said Dadang Sunendar, head of the Language Development Agency, Tuesday (20/2) in Jakarta, in conjunction with the commemoration of the International Mother Tongue Day on Wednesday.
Of the 11 local languages on extinction, nine are in Maluku and North Maluku, namely the language of Kajeli/Kayeli, Piru, Moksela, Palumata, Ternateno, Hukumina, Hoti, Serua, and Nila. Meanwhile, the other two extinct languages are in Papua, namely the language of Tandia and Mawes.
The extinction of the local languages is caused mainly by the shrinking number of the users. Second, the attitude of the local community which consider local languages to be less prestigious. Third, mixed marriages which are not accompanied by language inheritance to children. As the time goes by, the number of users of the languages is gradually decreasing. This condition is not balanced with any conservation efforts.
"Because the local languages are considered less prestigious, many young people finally prefer to speak the Indonesian language, and there those who even \'jump\' to learn English," said Dadang.
The phenomenon of mixed marriage families from tribes with different languages also have affect. Because their parents do not specifically teach the local languages, children from the families do not master their local languages.
In line with Law No. 24 of 2009 on Flags, Languages, and State Symbol, as well as the National Anthem, the Indonesian community is expected to give emphasis on the national language, Bahasa Indonesia, while at the same time preserving the regional languages and mastering the foreign ones.
Preservation effort
Behind the anxiety about the extinction of regional languages due to the influence of pop-modernity culture, there is still hope for the sustainability of local languages in the archipelago. Utilizing social media, a number of community speakers still strive to preserve the local languages. Young people are still using the local languages in the family environment.
Speakers of the Batak-Toba language, North Sumatra, for example, create a community called Malambok Pusu-Pusu Community. They preserve the language and culture of Batak-Toba. They communicate on Facebook social media with 9,500 members from all over Indonesia speaking the Batak language. "There have been several meetings. What is needed is the support of local governments to preserve the language," said Manguji who agrees that local governments use local languages on certain days to preserve the languages.
In the higher education, the interest of young people to pursue regional language study program is not falling. Flansius Tampubolon, lecturer of Batak Literature Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Science, University of North Sumatra, said there is an increasing trend in the number of students studying the Batak literature. Before 2014, the number of students reached 35-40, but from 2014 to 2016 rose to 47-52 people per year. "The number of applicants further rose to 60 to 80 students per year, but just last year it was a bit down," he said.
Applicants to Javanese Literary Study Program of Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, are still positive. "The capacity of our study program is 25 to 30 students per year. But, the number of students who register can reach 120," said chairperson of Javanese Literature Study Program of Gadjah Mada University Sri Ratna Saktimulya.
A similar trend happens in the Javanese Language study program at the State University of Semarang (Unnes), Central Java, and University of Education Indonesia (UPI) Bandung.
In West Java, efforts to preserve the Sundanese language becomes the mission of Mangle magazine published by PT Mangle Panglipur. "The language is the identity of the nation. The disappearance of a language means the disappearance of the nation. So, local languages must be preserved in various ways that adjust to the times," said director of PT Mangle Panglipur Uu Rukmana. Mangle is a Sundanese-language media published since 1957. Since 1965 until now, this magazine is published once a week.
People in Cirebon and Indramayu, West Java, also try to maintain the local languages. Today, the Institute of Dermayu of Language and Literature (LBSD) held a Basa Indramayu discussion at the Panti Budaya Building.
Writer Ahmad Tohari has published the monthly Panginyongan Ancas magazine since April 6, 2010. The customers are teachers and schools in Banyumas, Central Java. Randi Daffa, 15, a student of state elementary school SMPN 2 Sokaraja, Banyumas, loves to use the Panginyongan language for social interaction with her parents and friends.
Language activist Ivan Lanin said the extinction of regional languages was caused by the fact that they are never again by their speakers. "Something that is always used and practiced will not be lost. This is the same with speaking local languages, the skills will disappear if they are never used," he said.
