In the vast archipelago of Indonesia, where the waves whisper tales of ancient cultures, a silent crisis is unfolding. One-third of the country’s 718 indigenous languages are at risk of disappearing, with many of these languages rooted in the central and eastern regions. This is where the sea meets the sky, and where the maritime heritage of Indonesia is deeply intertwined with the local languages. Recognizing this, a team from the Department of Language and Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada, led by Suhandano Suhandano, has embarked on a mission to document and preserve these vulnerable languages, with a particular focus on maritime terms and traditional expressions.
The team’s initiative, published in the journal ‘Bakti Budaya’ (translated as ‘Cultural Devotion’), involved providing language documentation assistance to the Language Offices in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and Sulawesi Tenggara (Sultra). The goal was to increase the passion, motivation, and capacity of local researchers in documenting their languages, as well as to foster cooperation between the Language Offices and the university’s Linguistics Master’s Program.
The process was meticulous. First, they observed and mapped the language aspects that needed to be documented. Then, they provided assistance in the documentation efforts and guided the writing of the documentation. The results were promising. As Suhandano Suhandano explained, “After completing the facilitating and mentoring processes, it was expected that the researchers and documentation increased their passions and motivation in documenting the language aspects, their theoretical and methodological capacity in language documenting activities, and the number of documented languages.”
One of the key focuses of this project was the maritime terms of the Kaera language in NTT. The Kaera language is spoken by the Kaera people, who are known for their seafaring skills and rich maritime culture. By documenting these terms, the team hopes to preserve not just the language, but also the unique knowledge and practices of the Kaera people.
The commercial impacts and opportunities for the maritime sector are significant. As Suhandano Suhandano noted, “In addition to improving the ethics of mentoring, the teams worked together in terms of equality, cooperation and working together, and sustainability.” This cooperation could lead to the development of maritime training programs and resources in the local languages, making them more accessible and effective for the local communities.
Moreover, the documentation of these languages could also open up opportunities for cultural tourism. As more people become interested in preserving and learning about these languages, there could be a rise in demand for cultural experiences that involve the local languages and maritime heritage.
In the end, this initiative is not just about preserving languages. It’s about preserving the rich maritime heritage of Indonesia, and ensuring that the voices of the local communities are heard and valued. As the team continues their work, they hope to inspire more people to join them in this important mission.