Jakarta Ethnic Language in Higher Education: Sociolinguistic Study in Central Java and Its Relevance to Indonesian Language Learning

Abstract

This study aims to describe the form of the language of the Jakarta ethnic community in Central Java, describe the functions of the Jakarta language based on the social domain and describe the barriers that occur to Jakarta students in Central Java. This research used a descriptive approach method which was carried out in Central Java and took place in the city of Surakarta, especially at the Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta. Data was collected using listening technique. The results of research on the use of the regional languages of Jakarta in Central Java are the language choices made by Jakarta students in the city of Surakarta at university institutions are in the form of Central Javanese (BJT), Indonesian Language (BI), and Mixed languages (BC) which are divided into two languages which are BJT and BI. Based on the social domain, the Jakarta language is used by many out-of-town students at Surakarta universities. The obstacle in the communication process is ineffectiveness or errors in interpreting the meaning of differences of opinion during intercultural communication. After that, Indonesian language learning is needed to build awareness of Indonesian literacy, not only in terms of language skills or mastery of language competencies, but also in aspects of language as a medium for forming culture and national identity. Language used in the city of Surakarta is not only uses BI, but also uses BJT and BC in communication in the university. Even though some students from out of town do not speak Javanese, they are willing to try and learn to communicate in Javanese which have direct contact with other Javanese students. When students from out of town do not understand a word or meaning in Javanese, they are willing to ask their friends about the meaning. The language used by students is ngoko Javanese as an everyday language.