Quadrilingualism and Identity in the Bugis-Indonesian Diaspora in Tawau, Malaysia
Abstract
Multilingualism in diaspora is not merely a skill; it is a way of negotiating identity and social inclusion for the Bugis-Indonesian diaspora in Tawau, Malaysia, language becomes a means of maintaining identity while adapting to new cultural landscapes. This study explores quadrilingual language practices within the Bugis-Indonesian diaspora in Tawau, Malaysia, a context shaped by cultural migration and multilingual interaction. In an increasingly globalized and multicultural society, language plays a crucial role in identity formation, particularly among diasporic communities. This study investigates how the use and maintenance of four languages: Bugis, Malay, Indonesian, and English, reflect the linguistic choices and identity construction of the community. Using a qualitative design, data were collected through interviews, observations, and questionnaires involving members of the Bugis-Indonesian diaspora: parents, students, and educators. A total of 18 participants were purposively sampled from four groups: children (aged 10-17, n = 5), adults (18-40, n = 6), elders (40+, n = 4), and teachers (n = 3), all proficient in Indonesian, Malay, English, and Bugis. The findings reveal that Bugis and Malay dominate in familial and community interactions, while Indonesian is used in formal or cultural contexts, and English is mostly reserved for educational settings, often with code-switching. These patterns indicate a strategic and context-sensitive approach to language use. The findings provide theoretical insights into multilingual identity negotiation and highlight the practical implications for language policy and diaspora education. These findings underscore the need for supportive policies that recognize the cultural significance of heritage languages while promoting national and international language competencies.
Keywords: Quadrilingualism; Identity; Bugis-Indonesian Diaspora; Language Choice; Language Maintenance
Multilingualisme dalam komuniti diaspora bukan sekadar suatu kemahiran, tetapi merupakan suatu cara untuk merundingkan identiti dan keterangkuman sosial. Bagi diaspora Bugis-Indonesia di Tawau, Malaysia, bahasa menjadi wahana untuk mengekalkan identiti di samping menyesuaikan diri dengan landskap budaya yang baharu. Kajian ini meneroka amalan bahasa kuadrilingual dalam diaspora Bugis-Indonesia di Tawau, Malaysia, dalam konteks yang dipengaruhi oleh migrasi budaya dan interaksi pelbagai bahasa. Dalam masyarakat yang semakin global dan multibudaya, bahasa memainkan peranan penting dalam pembentukan identiti, khususnya dalam kalangan komuniti diaspora. Kajian ini meneliti bagaimana penggunaan dan pemertahanan empat bahasa, iaitu bahasa Bugis, bahasa Melayu, bahasa Indonesia dan bahasa Inggeris, mencerminkan pilihan linguistik serta pembinaan identiti komuniti tersebut. Dengan menggunakan reka bentuk kualitatif, data dikumpulkan melalui temu bual, pemerhatian dan soal selidik yang melibatkan anggota diaspora Bugis-Indonesia, termasuk ibu bapa, pelajar dan pendidik. Seramai 18 orang peserta dipilih secara bertujuan daripada empat kumpulan, iaitu kanak-kanak (berumur 10–17 tahun, n = 5), dewasa (18–40 tahun, n = 6), golongan lebih berusia (40 tahun ke atas, n = 4) dan guru (n = 3), yang kesemuanya mempunyai penguasaan dalam bahasa Indonesia, bahasa Melayu, bahasa Inggeris dan bahasa Bugis. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa bahasa Bugis dan bahasa Melayu lebih dominan dalam interaksi kekeluargaan dan komuniti, manakala bahasa Indonesia digunakan dalam konteks formal atau kebudayaan, sementara bahasa Inggeris lebih banyak digunakan dalam konteks pendidikan, sering kali melalui pertukaran kod. Pola ini menunjukkan pendekatan penggunaan bahasa yang strategik dan peka terhadap konteks. Dapatan kajian memberikan sumbangan teoretikal terhadap pemahaman tentang perundingan identiti dalam konteks multilingualisme serta menonjolkan implikasi praktikal terhadap dasar bahasa dan pendidikan diaspora. Dapatan ini menegaskan keperluan terhadap dasar yang menyokong dan mengiktiraf kepentingan budaya bahasa warisan, di samping menggalakkan penguasaan kompetensi dalam bahasa kebangsaan dan bahasa antarabangsa.
Kata Kunci: Kuadrilingualisme; Identiti; Diaspora Bugis-Indonesia; Pilihan Bahasa; Pemertahanan Bahasa
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