Between Indonesian and Sundanese: How the Young Generation Communicates Today
A simple question like “A, atos tuang acan?” (Have you eaten yet?) can reveal the complex linguistic reality facing Indonesia’s youth. When a Sundanese student asked this to a newcomer from Kalimantan, the confused stare that followed was a small reminder that language is not just a communication tool, but a cultural identity and a bridge between different backgrounds.
As a student born and raised in Bandung, Sundanese has been part of my life since childhood, used at home, in my neighbourhood, and when joking with friends. However, entering a university filled with students from various regions, I noticed a shift in how we communicate. My friends and I still use Sundanese, but without realising it, our conversations are now heavily mixed with Indonesian. A sentence might start in Indonesian, continue in Sundanese, and then switch back, a blend so natural we barely notice it.
Another experience reinforced the importance of regional languages. A friend from Kalimantan arrived in Bandung speaking only Indonesian, with Sundanese sounding completely foreign. Yet, after nearly two years, he slowly began to understand Sundanese vocabulary and occasionally uses simple words like ‘mangga’ (please), ‘punten’ (excuse me), ‘atuh’, or ‘hatur nuhun’ (thank you) when speaking with friends. This shows that regional languages need not be barriers; instead, they can serve as bridges that help someone adapt to a new environment and appreciate the local culture.
Interestingly, I also discovered gaps in my own knowledge. Despite being Sundanese, I frequently encounter vocabulary and expressions I have never heard before, especially when speaking with elders or people from other parts of West Java. I had assumed I understood Sundanese well, but the language has a wealth of vocabulary, dialects, and speech levels not used in daily conversation. This taught me that learning a regional language is a never-ending process, even for those born into the culture.
This phenomenon is not just personal. According to the Language Development and Fostering Agency, Indonesia has 718 regional languages spread across the archipelago. However, a 2024 vitality mapping showed that only 18 of these languages are in a safe condition, with the rest classified as vulnerable, declining, endangered, critical, or extinct. This data serves as a reminder that this linguistic wealth is a cultural heritage that must be protected together.
Changes in communication patterns among the youth cannot be separated from technological developments. We spend hours daily on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where content predominantly uses Indonesian or foreign languages. It is no surprise that expressions like ‘bro’, ‘guys’, ‘healing’, ‘literally’, or ‘random’ have become part of everyday conversation. This is not wrong, as language naturally evolves with the times, but we must be careful not to let this development distance young people from their regional languages.
In cross-cultural communication, the ability to use multiple languages is an advantage. Indonesian serves as the unifying tool for the nation, foreign languages open global opportunities, and regional languages preserve our cultural identity. These three do not replace one another; they complement each other. UNESCO data cited by the Language Agency notes that approximately one language disappears every two weeks worldwide. When a language becomes extinct, what is lost is not just vocabulary, but also history, folklore, local knowledge, and cultural values passed down through generations.
As the younger generation, we must keep up with the times, and mastering Indonesian and foreign languages is a necessity in the era of globalisation. At the same time, we bear the responsibility of keeping regional languages alive amidst change. Preserving a regional language does not require grand gestures; it can start with speaking Sundanese to family, greeting a friend in a local tongue, or simply not feeling embarrassed to use it in daily life.