Vernacularism in Centralized Multicultural Societies: The Case of Javanese in Indonesia

Lusia Neti Harwati; Mala Rajo Sathian

doi:10.53899/spjrd.v31i1.1366

Authors

Lusia Neti Harwati Universiti Malaya, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7674-5338
Mala Rajo Sathian Universiti Malaya, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2996-6864

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53899/spjrd.v31i1.1366

Keywords:

Javanese, multiculturalism, language planning, vernacular language survival, Indonesia

Abstract

Most countries prioritize teaching and promoting national languages over vernacular languages. While national languages promote national identities, vernacular languages are viewed as embedding cultural identities. This paper investigates the decline and potential endangerment of Javanese, the most spoken vernacular in Indonesia, from the perspectives of Javanese language teachers, provincial government policies, and conservationists. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and semi-structured interviews with 20 Javanese language teachers, this paper examines the interplay between cultural identity, local affiliations, and national belonging. The teachers’ perspectives reveal a strong sense of ethnic pride and responsibility, while policymakers and conservationists emphasize the importance of preserving Javanese as a cultural heritage. Results show that multicultural nationalism sustains Javanese language acquisition and cultural appreciation, offering a paradigm for balancing regional diversity with national unity. The paper suggests that strategic language planning embeds vernacular languages and values them as a vital part of national identity.

Author Biographies

Lusia Neti Harwati, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia

PhD Candidate
Department of Southeast Asian Studies
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Universiti Malaya
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Mala Rajo Sathian, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia

Senior Lecturer
Corresponding Author
Department of Southeast Asian Studies
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Universiti Malaya
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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