STRATEGI ADAPTASI DAN PEMERTAHANAN BAHASA MELAYU PONTIANAK DALAM MASYARAKAT MULTIKULTURAL

Abstract

This study aims to describe the adaptation strategies and efforts to maintain the Pontianak Malay language within a multicultural society. Using a sociolinguistic approach and a qualitative descriptive method, this research collected data through in-depth interviews with seven categories of informants. The data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive model, framed by the theories of language maintenance and language shift. The findings reveal that the preservation of the Pontianak Malay language is achieved through the synergy of families, educational institutions, cultural communities, and digital media. The family serves as the primary domain for language transmission, while education and cultural communities function as spaces for revitalization through academic and cultural activities. Digital media provide a new arena for language preservation through creative content that appeals to younger generations. The Pontianak Malay language not only represents cultural identity but also possesses economic value through collaboration with the creative industry. The implications of this study emphasize the importance of collaboration among educational institutions, cultural communities, and local governments to strengthen the presence of the Pontianak Malay language in both public and digital domains, offering a potential model for the preservation of other regional languages in Indonesia.