Language, Identity, and Intergenerational Transmission Strategies: The Linguistic Practices of Bugis Families in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

This study explores linguistic practices, intergenerational language transmission, and the construction of ethnic identity among Bugis families in West Kalimantan in a diasporic context. Focusing on Mempawah and Pontianak, it adopts a linguistic ethnographic approach and applies the Family Language Policy (FLP) framework to examine Bugis language maintenance in a multilingual setting. Data were collected through interviews with 12 diasporic families, observations, and documentation, and these were analyzed using the interactive model by Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña. The findings of this study indicate that the Bugis language is used selectively in emotional and intergenerational contexts, particularly those involving grandparents. Grandparents and community ties play a central role in preserving the Bugis language among peoples in the diaspora. Nevertheless, the Bugis language retains symbolic significance as a marker of ethnic identity and community belonging. The study highlights that the vitality of the Bugis language is sustained through strong community ties, the role of elders, and a supportive sociocultural ecosystem. These insights contribute to the field of minority sociolinguistics and are valuable for developing policies that support local language preservation in Indonesia’s multiethnic diaspora settings.