BAHASA IBU #1: Apa Itu Bahasa Ibu?

Summary

The video discusses the concept of 'Mother Tongue,' emphasizing its role as the first language learned by children through their immediate environment, particularly their parents. It highlights the importance of preserving regional languages alongside the national language, Indonesian, in Indonesia. The speaker stresses that language is not only a tool for communication but a window to a community's worldview, culture, and values. The extinction of regional languages would result in the loss of unique cultural identities and knowledge. The video calls for responsibility in maintaining and passing down these languages to avoid the erasure of local civilizations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The term 'Mother Tong' refers to the first language a child learns naturally from their parents and immediate environment, not through formal education.
• 😀 'Mother Tong' is a translation of the English term 'mother tongue,' which means the language a child picks up from their closest surroundings.
• 😀 In Indonesia, Indonesian is the national language, but regional languages also serve as mother tongues, and both play important roles.
• 😀 The preservation of regional languages is crucial, as they contribute to the understanding and maintenance of cultural heritage.
• 😀 Every language serves as a window into a community's worldview, and losing a language means losing access to that unique perspective.
• 😀 Extinction of a language implies the loss of the values, ethics, knowledge, and cultural norms embedded in it.
• 😀 If regional languages in Indonesia were to become extinct, entire civilizations tied to those languages would also be lost.
• 😀 The responsibility to preserve regional languages lies not only with older generations but with the younger ones too.
• 😀 Language loss can lead to the extinction of knowledge, traditions, and values that define a community's identity.
• 😀 There is a fear that with the loss of languages, Indonesia could lose hundreds of its unique civilizations, especially as older generations pass on.

Q & A

Why is the term 'Mother Tong' used?

The term 'Mother Tong' is a translation of the English phrase 'mother tongue,' referring to the first language a child masters intuitively through interactions with their parents and the surrounding environment, rather than through formal education.

What does 'Mother Tong' signify in the context of Indonesia?

'Mother Tong' in Indonesia refers to both the national language, Indonesian, and the various regional languages spoken across the country. It is important as it reflects the languages children learn naturally from their family and community.

What role do regional languages play in Indonesia?

Regional languages in Indonesia serve as mother tongues, alongside Indonesian. They are integral in reflecting the culture, history, and worldview of each region, helping to maintain the diversity and richness of the nation.

What responsibility do children have regarding regional languages?

Children in Indonesia have the responsibility to preserve and maintain their regional languages. Understanding and speaking these languages is key to keeping cultural heritage and traditions alive.

Why is language considered a window to understanding reality?

Language is considered a window to reality because it shapes how a community perceives and interacts with the world. It reflects cultural values, norms, ethics, and knowledge, influencing a group's worldview.

What happens if a language becomes extinct?

If a language becomes extinct, the associated worldview and cultural norms of the community or ethnic group are also lost. This can lead to the disappearance of valuable cultural knowledge, traditions, and societal structures.

How does the extinction of a language affect civilization?

The extinction of a language can lead to the loss of a civilization's history, cultural identity, and knowledge. Language is key to preserving the unique ways a group or society views the world.

Why is it important to preserve regional languages in Indonesia?

Preserving regional languages is vital to maintaining the cultural diversity of Indonesia. Each regional language holds unique insights into the norms, values, and worldview of its respective community.

What is the connection between language and ethics in a society?

Language stores and conveys the ethical standards and values of a society. It is through language that individuals learn about the cultural norms and moral principles that guide their behavior.

What would be the impact if hundreds of regional languages in Indonesia became extinct?

If hundreds of regional languages in Indonesia were to become extinct, Indonesia would lose a significant part of its cultural heritage, including knowledge, traditions, and ways of life that have been passed down through generations.