Javanese Language Shift, Gender and Modernity: A Case Study at IAIN Kudus

Abstract

This study aims at exploring the phenomenon of Javanese language shift among lecturers and staffs at IAIN Kudus and their possible motives. This study used a descriptive qualitative approach and the data were taken from the interview, observation and focus group discussion. The results indicate that the use of Indonesian of male lecturers and male staffs is less striking shift than female ones. Indeed, female lecturers and female staffs tend to have a strong preference for using Indonesian rather than Javanese. This could be caused by the effect of globalization, the increased use of other languages, social changes, mobility, and modernity. The motives of language shift among the female lecturers and female staffs are the language used in a formal education is Indonesian and the increase of technology particularly in relation to social media use Indonesian as a medium to deliver information.