Conserve Our Languages to Conserve Our Cultures!

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

The honorable judges,

My beloved teachers and friends,

And to all of the amazing participants and audiences,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

For the sake of Allah SWT, this world would never exist without His almightiness, the god of all freckles of dust to the vastness of the universe. Praises to Him and thanks to Him for all the things he has granted us. And may we not forget our Shalawat and Salaam to our prophet Muhammad SAW, along with his families and his fellow followers until the end of the time.

Ladies and gentlemen,

What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘language’? Is it speech? Interactions among humans? Or maybe broken heart because you forget to say ‘I love you’ to your admired ones? Well, whatever language means to you, it is undeniable that language is inseparable from humans. Language can also be used to determine a person’s nationality or tribe. That is why language can be considered as culture.

In Indonesia, there are about 742 different local languages that are being used all over the archipelago. We can find Java language in Middle Java and East Java, Sunda in West Java, Minang in West Sumatra and many more. It becomes our pride to own these many languages. Many tourists from all over the world come to Indonesia to find out more about our various languages and how we interact each other.

However, it becomes our concern when a research proves that 14 local languages have been already extinct. Those are Hoti, Hukumina, Hulung and 7 more languages from Middle Maluku, Ternateno and Ibu from North Maluku, Saponi and Mapia from Papua. Regarding this issue, there are at least three reasons that lead to the extinction of the languages, those are:

First, the language users feel inferior to use the language. Because they feel less people use it so it doesn’t matter anymore. Second, globalization makes those languages infamous because it has a traditional impression, so they feel old-fashioned if they use it. And the last reason is that, the economic activities are developing to other region. While we know that economics opens the borders of the region, which means more sellers will use other language to interact with the buyers. The sellers generally adjust their language with the buyers who frequently are from outside the region, because they said that it is easier way to offer things to the buyers.

Brothers and sisters,

One of the effects of a language extinction is the disappearance of manners which was strongly related to its language. The example is Java language. Javanese has their own language levels that are divided based on the social structure, to whom we are talking to, and in which environment we interact with.  Nowadays, there are some trends of not using tender language to older people. Besides, in Java language, the youngsters are obliged to speak tenderly to the elders.

What I have mentioned just now shows one of the signs of the degradation of a nation. Edi Wiyono, a practitioner of Multiple Intelligence and Holistic Learning, said “there are ten signs of a nation degradation.  One of them is the use of slang words and swearing which worsen a language.” It has already happened in Indonesia. The youngsters prefer to use bad languages instead of their mother language, or at least a good Indonesian language.

This is a problem. As  Indonesians we should know how to conserve our country’s riches because it has already been our obligation since we were born to this world  as Indonesians. One of many efforts that we, as citizens can do for our country in conserving our language is, parents have to instill a big intention to learn Indonesia’s local language in their children’s hearts. And out of so many efforts that the government can do, there are at least one meaningful effort, holding a local language and local culture festival by showing some performances using local language. It will help so many people to realize how rich our country is and to love and conserve them as best as we can.

So, brothers and sisters, Conserving and learning local languages don’t mean that we do not learn Indonesian language, we learn Indonesian language as a bridge of communication with others, and we learn local languages to keep them alive and as something to be proud of. Our goal here is: conserve our languages to conserve our cultures. Let’s recall the inspiring words from Nelson Mandela, “if you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” A language is a culture. Businesses cannot incorporate it. Developers cannot innovate it. Engineers cannot calculate it. Manufacturers cannot fabricate it. Scientists cannot formulate it. Technicians cannot generate it. Only you can conserve it.

That’s all from me, an extraordinary girl who has a really big spirit for Indonesians. Thank you,

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.