Contextualizing Revitalization of Panai Malay Archaic Vocabularies Through Formal Learning

Abstract

The study of the disappearance of local languages throughout the world continues to spark the interest of linguists. Even though this fear has been raised in several Indonesian government initiatives, academics have completed a comparatively limited study on local language vocabulary in Indonesia, particularly The Panai Malay Language (PML), which continues to decrease in its usage by its speakers. The objectives of this study are to describe the features of archaic vocabularies of the Panai Malay language and to investigate the pattern of Panai Malay language revitalization. The research was conducted using a qualitative research method with the ethnography research design by using 591 vocabularies as research data sources. The results of this study reveal that PML archaic vocabularies are found in 10 domains, namely the realm of family, agriculture, housing, food-beverage, customs, health, marine, human body, clothing, and human nature. The archaic domains of PML vocabularies are more dominantly found in the domains of human nature, namely 30 vocabularies or 8.15% for teenage respondents, while according to adult respondents 13 vocabulary (9.70%), and older people by 12 words (13.48%). The revitalization of archaic vocabularies of PML should be implemented through formal efforts by integrating the language material in the formal learning process through the Local Content Curriculum as well as by writing the PML Dictionary which should be shared through social media such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Revitalization through non-formal channels should be carried out through communication training, publishing folklore by incorporating PML archaic vocabularies, and reactivating PML cultural activities.