Connecting Indonesia's Cultural Heritage Through Language Preservation
Efforts are being made across the nation to protect the diverse languages and cultural traditions of Indonesia as studies reveal alarming rates of language endangerment.
According to data from the Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa, or the Agency for Language Development and Fostering, around 26 regional languages are threatened with extinction. This predicament largely arises from the fact the majority of speakers are over the age of 20, and elders seldom converse with children using these languages.
"The findings come from comprehensive vitality assessments of 113 regional languages conducted back in 2015," explained Hafidz Muksin, head of the Agency, during the Gelar Wicara Peringatan Hari Bahasa Ibu Internasional (International Mother Language Day) event. Alongside those languages recognized as endangered, 18 are categorized as safe, 27 vulnerable, and five have already become extinct.
Muksin stressed the need for increased use of regional languages at home and suggested integrating them as the medium of instruction at early educational levels. This recommendation is based on 2020 data from Indonesia's Central Statistics Agency indicating only 73.8% of the population engaged with regional languages when communicating with family.
"To improve comprehension among students, it's pivotal to utilize their native languages during learning. We need to cultivate environments where local dialects are celebrated as part of our heritage," he emphasized.
Further highlighting the importance of language use, Irsyad Zamjani, the head of the Center for Standards and Education Policies, noted the positive impacts of using students' mother language for instruction. A 2021 study showed significant improvements in student participation when they learned using their first languages.
"Using the mother tongue successfully enhances not just attendance but also boosts student engagement and participation, which are key to effective education," Zamjani stated. He referenced how students learning in their mother language scored higher on literacy tests compared to those instructed solely in Indonesian.
Notably, various educational policies allow for local languages to be utilized as instructional mediums, illustrating governmental acknowledgment of their role. This approach aligns with the National Education System Law and the Presidential Regulation No. 63/2019 on the Use of Indonesian language, recognizing the dual necessity of local and national languages for comprehensive educational outcomes.
But challenges remain. Zamjani pointed out discrepancies such as limited availability of learning resources in regional languages, the sparsity of educators fluent in local dialects, and the overarching dominance of Indonesian, which poses pedagogical barriers for younger generations.
These grievances necessitate systematic solutions. Zamjani recommended comprehensive mapping of linguistic regions to provide targeted educational interventions and bolster local languages' integration within schools. Engaging local governments, facilitating teacher training, and ensuring availability of bilingual teaching materials are pivotal strategies for future advancements.
Academically, initiatives are also active within Indonesian universities. For example, the Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang recently launched the book "Ensiklopedia Tradisi-Tradisi Kampung" (“Encyclopedia of Village Traditions”), celebrating local customs documented by students. This endeavor showcases students' active roles in cultural documentation and preservation through literature.
“We hope this publication doesn’t just serve as documentation but can also be the basis for more extensive research on our cultural heritage,” stated Arif Setiawan, head of the program.
This literary project not only emphasizes academic engagement but also aims at rekindling interest among young generations to explore their cultural roots. The collaborative effort behind the book reflects the institute's commitment to educational and cultural missions.
Prof. Dr. Joko Widodo, who contributed to the book, expressed his nostalgia for traditions depicted within its pages. Recognizing the emotional connection behind cultural practices reiterates the sentiment behind language preservation; it's not just about words on paper, it’s about the stories and memories they evoke.
Awareness campaigns celebrating cultural and linguistic diversity are increasingly recognized as integral to national identity. By fostering environments where local languages thrive, Indonesia's cultural fabric can continue to flourish and adapt, adhering to its rich heritage.
It's evident the preservation of Indonesia's languages is both urgent and necessary. If communities embrace and champion their linguistic diversity, these regional languages can thrive, offering frameworks through which cultural identities can be celebrated and understood.