Language Shift Among Migrant Families: Linguistic Practices in Multicultural Urban Area

Marista Christina Shally Kabelen; Atik Kurniawati; Rusfadia Saktiyanti Jahja

doi:10.19184/csi.v6i1.53699

Authors

Marista Christina Shally Kabelen Sociology Department, Sociology and Law Faculty, State University of Jakarta, Indonesia
Atik Kurniawati Sociology Department, Sociology and Law Faculty, State University of Jakarta, Indonesia
Rusfadia Saktiyanti Jahja Sociology Department, Sociology and Law Faculty, State University of Jakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19184/csi.v6i1.53699

Keywords:

Family Language Policy, Intergenerational language shift, Language-culture disconnection, Multicultural urban families, Native language shift

Abstract

This study investigates native language shift among migrant families in multicultural urban areas. To do so, this research focuses on Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, and Bekasi, also known as Jabodetabek. This region has developed as a major metropolitan area and the most densely populated area in Indonesia, with approximately 40 million residents. In addition to this population, residents came from across Indonesia, contributing to the cultural landscape, especially with local language variety. Consequently, Bahasa Indonesia, the national language, dominates the educational, occupational, and public domains, while native languages are increasingly marginalised in urban areas. Drawing on this condition, this research followed Fishman’s Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (GIDS), Smolicz’s concepts of core values and latent bilingualism, and the Family Language Policy framework. Accordingly, examined how intergenerational dynamics, social perceptions, and structural pressures interact to accelerate language and cultural disconnection. Using a descriptive and comparative quantitative approach, data were collected from 150 purposively selected respondents via a validated Likert-scale questionnaire. Correlation analysis reveals a strong positive relationship between regional language competence and home practice (r = 0.785), as well as a negative correlation between comfort with the national language and regional language use (r = -0.480). Family support also shows a significant correlation with competence (r = 0.512), though often without explicit language policies. These findings highlight that language shift operates simultaneously at multiple levels: individual, familial, communal, and structural, underscoring its systemic nature. The study concludes that revitalisation of native language uses cannot rely solely on cultural awareness campaigns but must also enhance the instrumental value of regional languages by integrating them into formal curricula, developing digital content, and supporting community-based initiatives. Therefore, this article signals the need to reconceptualise the relationship between national and regional languages. The recommendation this article suggests, then, is to acknowledge native language as a complementary means of communication to prevent cultural disconnection and ultimately sustain Indonesian linguistic diversity in the urban future.

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