Inheritance of Local Languages as the First Language of Children in Tapung Hilir

Abstract

Multiethnic and multilingual demographic composition influences the use of language in the family. The first language received by children under five in the family is closely related to the inheritance of local languages. This research is focused on the problem of inheritance of the local language —the Tapung Malay dialect (TMD) — in Tapung Hilir by identifying the first language of native children under five, the reasons parents/families choose that first language, and its relation to the process of inheritance of the local language. This research uses the case study method with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews, observation, and focus group discussions. Data analysis was carried out by reducing, categorizing, analyzing, interpreting, and concluding research results. The research results show that (1) only 4.5% of families teach local languages as the first language for children under five; 88.5% teach Indonesian; and another 7% teach Indonesian and local languages, (2) the percentage of reasons parents (families) use Indonesian in interacting with children under five seems more prestigious/classy by 56%, so that children can socialize easily in a heterogeneous environment by 23%, preparing children towards schooling by 18%, and other reasons by 3%, and (3) language attitudes and local language competence of children and adolescents who speak Indonesian for the first time can be described as follows: shy of speaking the local language, not motivated to be proficient in the local language, the majority not fluent in local languages, the majority do not understand local language rules, and the majority do not know the extralinguistic elements of local languages. The process of inheritance of local languages is considered weak because there is no strong effort to pass on local languages to the next generation and the weakening of the use of local languages in various situations. One area of language use that is still strong enough to use local languages is the realm of customs.