Preserving indigenous languages in Indonesia to maintain the plurality of Indonesian linguistic canvas

Susanto, Gatut ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0068-875X, Patrianto, Hero, Rusiandi, Awaludin and Suparmi, Suparmi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8867-7662 (2025) Preserving indigenous languages in Indonesia to maintain the plurality of Indonesian linguistic canvas. In: Handbook on Endangered South Asian and Southeast Asian Languages. Springer, pp. 155-171. ISBN ISBN 978-3-031-80751-0, ISBN 978-3-031-80752-7 (eBook) UNSPECIFIED : UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Indonesia is known as a plural country. As the fourth largest population in the world, Indonesia is a home to many ethnic groups and hundreds of indigenous languages. Based on the Indonesian Center of Statistics Bureau (Biro Pusat Statistik or BPS) in 2010, it is found that there are 1.340 ethnics groups in Indonesia. Regarding indigenous languages, Summer Institute of Linguistic (SIL) recorded that there are 735 indigenous languages in 2018. Nonetheless, according to the National Language Development and Advising Board, there are at least 139 of the indigenous languages that are non-existent. The existence of these indigenous languages acts as cultural heritage and a mirror of pluralism in Indonesia. Therefore, to maintain the diversity of Indonesia, the indigenous languages need to be preserved. This paper aims to describe some endeavours done by the academics and government in preserving indigenous languages to maintain the plurality of Indonesian linguistic canvas. Thus, this study was conducted through documentary study. The results indicated that there are several activities as well as endeavours to preserve the indigenous languages, which can be categorized in three important activities, namely (a) mapping, (b) vitalization, and (c) preservation. By way of conclusion, practical and essential recommendations related to the results of this study will also be discussed.

Item Type:	Book Section
Keywords:	Indigenous language; Language preservation; Plurality
Subjects:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2003 Language Studies
Divisions:	Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teaching Training > Department of English Language Education
Depositing User:	Suparmi Suparmi
Date Deposited:	15 Aug 2025 09:38

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