Endangered Language: Preserving Totoli Language and Cultural Identity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1506.17Keywords:
endangered language, language shift, language maintenance, Totoli language, Indigenous ethnicityAbstract
Language extinction occurs when a language ceases to be spoken (Crystal, 2002; Krauss, 1992; Meek, 2019). This study examines the Totoli language, an endangered language in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, where a sharp decline in active speakers has been observed. Using a sociolinguistic approach, the research conceptualizes language as both a symbol system and a manifestation of cultural identity. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, focusing on patterns of language use across different domains such as family and neighborhood interactions. These findings highlight the diminishing role of Totoli in everyday communication, signaling an urgent need for intervention. This study emphasizes the importance of targeted preservation efforts to protect the Totoli language as one of the regional languages in Indonesia, especially in Sulawesi. It is important to highlight the urgency of implementing preservation and revitalization strategies to ensure the survival of Totoli language. Without such measures, Totoli risks extinction, underscoring broader implications for endangered languages globally.
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