There are 718 identified native languages in this multi-tribal country of Indonesia, making it the second most linguistically diverse country in the world, after Papua New Guinea. The diversity of languages reflects the incontestable wealth of differing ways of life, and thus cultures and identity. But the nation’s big concern is that these native languages, or mother tongues, are declining in use in most Indonesian regions. Thus, the organisation BASAibu Wiki has made preserving these local dialects their main mission.
In world where English is very much the international lingua franca, why should we pay heed to our mother tongue? Well, it is more than just a means of communication. It is a vehicle for cultural preservation, effective expression, cognitive development, inclusivity, and personal empowerment. Recognising the value of one’s mother tongue contributes to a more diverse, interconnected and enriched global society. Regional dialects contain within them the philosophy, wisdom and worldview of the people who use them. In the Javanese tradition for example, there are parikan or two-line rhymes that are filled with moral advice, shared in an entertaining literary form.
Yet, the use of regional dialects is decreasing, and some have even been declared completely extinct. This is what motivated Alissa Stern, a former teacher at University of Indonesia, to create BASAbali Wiki along with a dozen Balinese academics. Since 2011, their mission has been to preserve and perpetuate the everyday use of Basa Bali.
BASAbali have digitised the Balinese language dictionary, creating a ‘wiki’ style platform that broadens access to and understanding of the local dialect. They have had over 4 million users since the platform was set up. More importantly, the Wiki became a platform of public participation. Through their writing, photo and video competitions (Wiki Marathon / Wikithon) they have invited everyday people, from youth to elderly, to share their thoughts on civic issues, from tourism, environment, sexual harassment, and more, in Balinese. Providing a forum in which real discussions can be engaged using the native tongue. The work of the organisation resulted in them receiving a UNESCO literacy award in 2019, in addition to sponsorship from Switzerland and America.
With BASAbali proving the model, the organisation has expanded to a national scale and have launched ‘BASAibu Wiki’, an umbrella of other ‘BASA Wikis’ that are working in other regions of Indonesi undergoing similar challenges. Work has begun in South Sulawesi, where the number of Bugis, Toraja, Makassar and Mandar speakers are decreasing among young people, thus the establishment of platforms for BASAsulsel Wiki and also BASAkalimantan Wiki. Individually, and under the umbrella of BASAibu, the organisation hopes to increase awareness of the importance of local dialects, and ensure the continued use of native languages and thus native identities, wisdom and cultures.
Find out more: basabali.org | basasulselwiki.org
