To commemorate International Mother Language Day on February 21st, the Selasa Legen Forum of the Faculty of Languages and Arts at Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) held a discussion forum titled “Mother Language, How Are You?” The event featured keynote speakers Dr. Syarifuddin, Head of the Central Java Province Language Center, and Prof. Dr. Yusro Edy Nugroho, a Javanese Literature academic from the Faculty of Languages and Arts at UNNES, who discussed the importance of preserving mother languages amidst the currents of globalization.
Dr. Syarifuddin highlighted the declining number of local language speakers as a concerning issue. He identified urbanization, modernization, and the advancement of information technology as primary factors influencing the shift away from using mother languages. “Mother language is identity. If regional languages are used less and less, then we lose a part of our culture,” he stated. He also emphasized the role of local government policies in preserving mother languages, such as mandatory regional language programs in schools and using social media to promote mother languages.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Yusro Edy Nugroho asserted that key priorities are strengthening education based on local languages and utilizing technology in mother language learning. He proposed the creation of educational content rooted in regional languages to engage the younger generation. “Making local languages more relevant in the digital age can be a crucial strategy. Educational content based on local languages needs to be increased so that the younger generation remains interested,” he stated.
Both speakers concurred that preserving mother languages necessitates a collective effort from various stakeholders, including academics, the government, cultural communities, and the wider society. They hoped this discussion forum would enhance awareness of the importance of mother languages and encourage concrete steps in safeguarding the continuity of local languages as the nation’s cultural identity.
