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Language attitudes of Sundanese students in a Javanese ethnolinguistic region
Author
Risya Tazkia Nafisah
Supervisor
Tupas, T. Ruanni F.
Abstract
This study examines language attitudes of Sundanese youth towards three languages (i.e., Sundanese, Indonesian and English). 103 Sundanese college student volunteers (57 females and 46 males) with ages from 18-26 years and who study in a Javanese ethnolinguistic region in Indonesia, are included in this study. The students completed a written questionnaire available in the three languages. The study first examined their language background as the basis for the interpretation of their attitudes. It was found that they have complex language backgrounds with some tendencies of language shift to Indonesian. Moreover, the findings indicate their positive attitudes towards all languages. They equally value Sundanese and Indonesian highly positively -- more than English although the attitudes towards the latter remain positive as well. However, more detailed results on particular aspects of language attitudes (i.e., their beliefs, feelings and behaviors) show that Indonesian is increasingly being favored over other languages. In addition, other significant findings regarding gender differences, language background, language preservation, and language solidarity are also discussed in order to further understand their language attitudes. Over-all, Sundanese youth in the research have complex language attitudes – they value all three languages positively but in practice their attitudes are indicative of language shift towards Indonesian, the national language.
Date Issued
2018
Call Number
P37 Ris
Date Submitted
2018