Javanese Tensions: Revitalizing Javanese amidst Old and New Symbolisms; Toward a Linguistic Anthropology

Abstract

Indonesian nationalism has significantly influenced its local languages. The national slogan Unity in Diversity has been appropriated throughout Indonesia, particularly in the Javanese province. Javanese language trends have thus become a model for a larger Indonesia, where Javanese people have negotiated their ethnic symbolisms to benefit local and national intentions. However, tensions have formed in Java between heritage, nationalism and neoliberal requirements, rendering Javanese language revitalization conflictual. This paper draws on an ethnography of Javanese urban centres, to describe patterns of language revitalization. Through a symbolic interactionist approach, the paper analyzes Javanese language ideologies and symbolisms documented in these urban centres, to describe emerging language practices. The discussion progresses to present how Bahasa Campur, a mix of several languages, has repositioned these language communities to negotiate their tensions. The paper contributes to anthropological scholarship by presenting how global and local forces alter the practices and symbolisms of languages communities.