Language Shift and Decline in Regional Language Use in Multilingual Context in Indonesia

Abstract

The phenomenon of language shift in Indonesia is increasingly prominent along with the dominance of Indonesian as a national language and the influence of global languages, especially English. This shift is marked by a decline in the use of regional languages, both in the realm of family, education, and social interaction. This article aims to analyze the factors that drive the language shift and its impact on the preservation of regional languages in the context of multilingual Indonesia. This research uses the library research method by examining various relevant literature, journals, and previous research results. The results of the analysis show that there are several main factors that affect the language shift, including urbanization, social mobility, education policies that emphasize more on the Indonesian language, and the development of technology and digital media that are more dominant in using national and foreign languages. In addition, the perception that regional languages lack economic value and social prestige has also accelerated the decline in their use. This condition raises concerns about the loss of some regional languages that are no longer passed down to the younger generation. This article emphasizes the importance of efforts to revitalize regional languages through formal education, cultural activities, and the use of digital media as a creative space to preserve the nation's linguistic identity. Thus, understanding the dynamics of language shift can be the basis for formulating sustainable language policy strategies