The preservation of regional languages is gaining traction across Indonesia, with initiatives aimed at documenting local dialects and enriching children's literature. The Balai Bahasa Provinsi Bengkulu announced its plans to submit two dictionaries for the International Standard Book Number (ISBN), marking significant progress for the recognition of local languages and cultures.
Dwi Laily Sukmawati, the head of Balai Bahasa Provinsi Bengkulu, confirmed the submission of the Kamus Bahasa Nasal and the Kamus Kebudayaan Lembak. "Sampai saat ini kita sedang berproses mengajukan ke ISBN meskipun waktu tempuh pengajuan ini lama," she stated, highlighting the lengthy process but also the importance of documenting the region's linguistic heritage.
Currently, there are already three dictionaries published, including the Kamus Dwi Bahasa Rejang-Indonesia, Kamus Dwi Bahasa Enggano-Indonesia, and Kamus Bengkulu Dialeg Srawai-Indonesia. Dwi emphasized the need for more comprehensive publications, as some aspects of local culture and language remain unrecognized on the national stage.
These dictionaries serve not only as linguistic resources but also as cultural repositories. They are developed by the Kelompok Kepakaran Layanan Profesional (KKLP), aimed at inventorying local languages and proposing their inclusion in the Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (KBBI). The existence of these resources is seen as pivotal for educational purposes, enabling future generations to engage with their cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, the Balai Bahasa Provinsi Sulawesi Tengah achieved remarkable success with its bilingual literature initiative. Under the leadership of Chief of the Language Study Center, A. Ashrif, 42 bilingual storybooks were published, enhancing children's literature by featuring local languages. "Jadi bukan bahasa Indonesia ke bahasa daerah, melainkan bahasa daerah yang diterjemahkan ke bahasa Indonesia," Ashrif noted during the launch, emphasizing the importance of producing books first in local languages before translating them to Indonesian.
Prior to 2024, 32 children's reads were published solely translated from Indonesian to local languages. This year, this process has flipped, placing local tongues at the forefront. Such initiatives bolster regional identity, allowing new generations to embrace their cultural languages alongside the national language.
Syamsul Syaifuddin, the Head of the Palu City Archives and Libraries Office, praised this developmental approach. He stated, "Kami sangat mendukung kegiatan ini. Semoga karya-karya seperti ini dapat mempererat kecintaan anak-anak pada bahasa dan budaya daerah mereka." His statements reflect a collective commitment among local authorities to memorialize Indonesian culture through literature and educational activities.
These achievements symbolize more than just language revival; they are movements for cultural survival. The richness of Indonesian culture is often tied to its languages, each representing unique histories, stories, and identities across the Archipelago.
The development of such bilingual storybooks, written by authors from diverse professions throughout the region, brings forth local narratives, enriching educational experiences and fostering pride among younger Indonesian citizens. Authors from areas like Palu, Sigi, Parigi, Poso, and beyond have contributed to this effort, showcasing the resourcefulness and creativity of local talent.
Through the literary endeavors promoted by Balai Bahasa, the hope is to ignite interest and enthusiasm among children for their regional languages. This is not merely about language retention; it's about identity formation and cultural connection.
Finally, these concerted efforts from both Balai Bahasa Provinsi Bengkulu and Sulawesi Tengah underline the movement's broader objectives of sustaining Indonesia's linguistic diversity. By recognizing the historical and cultural significance embedded within local languages, these initiatives form part of Indonesia’s collective future, where both national unity and local identities can thrive.
