Indonesia's rich linguistic heritage is under serious threat, as evidenced by recent events and studies showcasing the decline of regional languages. The commitment to preserving these languages was reaffirmed during the International Mother Language Day celebrations led by Indonesia's Minister of Education and Culture, Abdul Mu'ti, on February 20, 2025, in Maluku Utara.
During his visit, Minister Mu'ti stressed the importance of local languages as reflections of the nation's diverse identity. He highlighted, "Preserving regional languages is part of our constitutional mandate and showcases our rich cultural heritage." The Minister pointed out the government’s vision for quality education, emphasizing the development and promotion of the Indonesian language alongside local languages.
Supporting this initiative, the Ministry of Education and Culture declared its full support for programs organized by the Language Development and Cultivation Agency. The Minister stated, "We are fully committed to promoting the Indonesian language and preserving regional languages, which are fundamental parts of our national wealth." This perspective was echoed by Hafidz Muksin, head of the Language Development and Cultivation Agency, who mentioned the conference’s support for UNESCO’s commitment to preserving world civilizations through local languages.
The celebration served as a platform to highlight the dual role of regional languages—increasing knowledge among students and serving as mediums of education at early stages.
These discussions come against the backdrop of the findings presented by the Badan Riset dan Innovasi Nasional (BRIN) during the 2nd International Conference on Language and Literature Preservation (ICLLP 2025) held at BRIN Gatot Subroto, Jakarta, where researchers indicated the significant reduction of local language usage due to several factors, including regional expansion, population migration, and the dominance of major languages.
Zainal Abidin, a researcher from the Language and Literature Preservation Research Center at BRIN, shared concerning findings about the Duanu community in Riau. Previously known as sea-dwelling people, their shift to permanent settlements has fundamentally altered their social and cultural dynamics. "The community has had to adapt to land life and interact more with other groups speaking Malay as the primary language, making the use of the Duanu language diminish significantly," he explained.
This language has been critically endangered, with sustainability indices showing alarming figures. Social stigma surrounding the use of Duanu has led to younger generations favoring Malay and Indonesian for perceived social acceptance and educational attainment.
Similarly, another study by Rissari Yayuk highlighted the fading use of Banjar proverbs, which are rich with local wisdom and life philosophy. According to Yayuk, "This research indicates 23 kitchen utensil lexicons embedded within 40 Banjar proverbs, reflecting social conditions and daily life, but such linguistic forms are increasingly rare among the youth due to modern communication patterns. If preservation isn't actively pursued, these cultural artifacts may vanish within generations."
Deni Karsana, another researcher at BRIN, focused on the Lauje language, which remains poorly documented. He noted the necessity for systematic documentation and described syntactic and semantic structures of the Lauje language, reinforcing the idea of urgent documentation to prevent its extinction.
Collectively, these studies highlight the multifaceted challenges of preserving local languages, intertwined with social, economic, and cultural factors. The dominance of Indonesia's national language, societal preferences for majority languages, coupled with insufficient documentation efforts exacerbate the decline of regional languages across the archipelago.
To mitigate these risks, researchers are calling for comprehensive strategies involving education, systematic documentation, and heightened public awareness of the importance of regional languages as cultural identities. Without concerted efforts from the government, academia, and local communities, the future of Indonesia's regional languages could be at jeopardy.
The message is clear: concerted, collaborative action is necessary to enrich the nation's linguistic diversity and retain its cultural richness for future generations.