A SOCIOLINGUISTICS SURVEY IN FOUR HIGH LANGUAGE CONTACT AREAS IN WEST SUMATRA: TOWARDS AN ASSESSMENT OF THE MINANGKABAU LANGUAGE VITALITY

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the language vitality of the Minangkabau language in West Sumatra. It continues my previous research on the language attitudes of Minangkabau speakers (Thamrin, T: 2015), which was conducted in three high-language contact areas: Padang, Bukittinggi, and Payakumbuh. This current research focuses on additional high-language contact areas in West Sumatra, namely Padang Panjang, Pariaman, Sawahlunto, and Solok. The primary instruments used in this study included sociolinguistic questionnaires, informal interviews, and observations. The questionnaires specifically focused on adults aged 26 to 45. The results from these questionnaires were analyzed to assess the vitality of the Minangkabau language using two models: the UNESCO Nine Factors on Language Vitality and Endangerment (2003) and the EGIDS scale (Lewis and Simons, 2010). The findings reveal that Minangkabau is still used in the community. However, intergenerational language transmission of Minangkabau is decreasing, especially in two high language contact areas where there is a large shift away from Minangkabau in the youth generation, and there is a consistent shift everywhere between the adult and youth generations. The way the community feels about the Minangkabau language also has a big impact on its life. For many Minangkabau people, the language is an integral part of their cultural identity, while others believe it is less relevant in modern contexts. In order to preserve it, efforts must be made to promote positive views of Minangkabau, particularly among youth.