Branches of Linguistics

The Impact of Modernization on Traditional Batak Toba Vocabulary: A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Language Shift

2026-06-20T13:48:03+07:00

Language shift has become a significant sociolinguistic phenomenon in multilingual societies undergoing rapid social and cultural transformation. This study investigates the impact of modernization on traditional Batak Toba vocabulary through a sociolinguistic analysis of language shift. The study aims to identify traditional lexical items that have experienced declining usage and to examine how modernization contributes to changes in vocabulary use within the Batak Toba speech community. Employing a qualitative descriptive design, the research utilized document analysis to examine traditional Batak Toba lexical items and their contemporary Indonesian equivalents. The data consisted of twenty traditional lexical items representing various semantic domains, including settlement, geography, agriculture, social relationships, and cultural practices. The findings reveal that many traditional Batak Toba words, such as huta, sopo, dolok, and aek, are increasingly being replaced by Indonesian equivalents in everyday communication. The results further indicate that modernization, formal education, technological advancement, and increased exposure to Indonesian have accelerated lexical replacement, particularly among younger generations. However, several culturally significant lexical items associated with customary institutions and traditional ceremonies continue to be maintained within specific cultural domains. These findings suggest that language shift in the Batak Toba community is occurring primarily at the lexical level and reflects broader sociocultural transformations influenced by modernization. The study concludes that while language change is a natural consequence of social development, the preservation of traditional vocabulary remains essential for maintaining cultural identity, linguistic diversity, and indigenous knowledge. This research contributes to sociolinguistic scholarship by highlighting the relationship between modernization and lexical language shift in contemporary Batak Toba society.

Language Shift and Lexical Attrition in Nias Language: A Sociolinguistic Study of Traditional Vocabulary among Young Speakers

2026-06-20T13:48:03+07:00

Language shift has become a significant concern for many minority languages, including the Nias language, as increasing modernization and the dominance of national languages influence local language use. This study investigates language shift and lexical attrition in traditional Nias vocabulary among young speakers. The study aims to identify traditional lexical items that have undergone language shift, examine the factors contributing to lexical attrition, and explore the influence of modernization on language maintenance. Employing a descriptive qualitative design, the study analyzed traditional Nias vocabulary through documentation, a vocabulary checklist, and semi-structured interviews with young Nias speakers aged 18–25 years. The findings reveal that several traditional lexical items, such as Höma (livestock-pen toilet), Bate’e (traditional sleeping room), Fogao (traditional coconut grater), Solo (bamboo lamp), Fandru Gasi (gas lamp), and Takula (traditional hat), are increasingly being replaced by Indonesian equivalents. The study identifies modernization, technological advancement, and the dominance of Bahasa Indonesia as the primary factors contributing to lexical attrition. Furthermore, lexical variations among North Nias, South Nias, and West Nias dialects demonstrate the linguistic diversity of the Nias language despite ongoing language shift. The findings highlight the importance of language maintenance efforts through documentation, education, and community participation to preserve traditional Nias vocabulary and safeguard the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Nias people.

An Analysis of Pronunciation Accuracy and Errors among EFL Students at SMP Negeri 1 Sirombu: A Phonological Perspective

2026-06-20T13:48:04+07:00

This small-scale study analyzes English word-stress accuracy and recurrent pronunciation errors produced by three EFL students (coded A, B, and C) at SMP Negeri 1 Sirombu. The dataset consists of a 50-item word list with 2- to 5-syllable words. Students read the list aloud, and their productions were transcribed in IPA and compared to the target stress placement. Quantitative results show moderate overall stress accuracy for Student A (26/50; 52%) and Student B (27/50; 54%), but substantially lower accuracy for Student C (14/50; 28%). Accuracy was highest on disyllabic words and decreased as syllable count increased, especially for tetrasyllabic and pentasyllabic items. Error analysis indicates systematic stress retraction or advancement, with a strong tendency to shift stress rightward (e.g., from first to second/third syllable) and to over-stress late syllables in morphologically complex words (e.g., -ate, -ity). From a phonological perspective, the patterns are consistent with limited lexical stress representations, orthographic influence, and possible L1 transfer from Bahasa Indonesia, which lacks contrastive lexical stress. The paper concludes with pedagogical implications, including explicit stress instruction, listening discrimination, and guided phonetic drilling to build suprasegmental awareness.

The Role of Sociocultural Dimensions in Enhancing English Language Proficiency among Indonesian EFL Learners in Hora Chinese School

2026-06-20T13:48:04+07:00

This study investigates the role of sociocultural dimensions in enhancing English language proficiency among Indonesian EFL learners at Hora Chinese School. The study aims to identify the sociocultural factors that influence students’ language development and examine their contribution to English language proficiency. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed. The participants consisted of 30 junior high school students who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering five sociocultural dimensions: family support, peer interaction, classroom environment, cultural exposure, and opportunities for English communication. Students’ English achievement records were also used to support the analysis. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and correlation analysis. The findings revealed that all sociocultural dimensions positively influenced students’ English language proficiency. Classroom environment emerged as the most influential factor (M = 4.25), followed by family support (M = 4.12) and cultural exposure (M = 3.87). Furthermore, positive correlations were identified between sociocultural dimensions and English proficiency, with classroom environment showing the strongest relationship (r = 0.73). The study concludes that sociocultural dimensions play a significant role in supporting English language learning and should be integrated into EFL instructional practices to promote students’ language development and communicative competence.

A Comparative Document-Based Pragmatic Study of Politeness Strategies Across Selected Asian Cultures

2026-06-20T13:48:04+07:00

This study investigates the use of politeness strategies across selected Asian cultures through a comparative document-based pragmatic analysis. Drawing on Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness framework, the study examines how speakers from India, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea employ bald-on-record, positive politeness, negative politeness, and off-record strategies in interpersonal communication. The research adopts a qualitative comparative design using document analysis as the primary method of inquiry. Data were collected from conversational excerpts extracted from selected films representing each cultural context. A total of 100 excerpts were analyzed and categorized according to the four politeness strategies proposed by Brown and Levinson. The findings reveal both similarities and differences in the realization of politeness across the selected cultures. Negative politeness emerged as the dominant strategy in Japanese and South Korean interactions, reflecting cultural values associated with hierarchy, respect, and social distance. Indonesian interactions showed a greater preference for positive politeness strategies, emphasizing solidarity and interpersonal closeness, while Indian interactions demonstrated a relatively balanced use of politeness strategies depending on contextual factors and social relationships. The study concludes that although maintaining face and social harmony is a common communicative goal across Asian cultures, the realization of politeness is strongly influenced by culturally specific norms and expectations. These findings contribute to the field of cross-cultural pragmatics and provide insights into the relationship between language, culture, and communication in contemporary Asian societies.