Language Kinship as Regional Conflict Resolution in West Nusa Tenggara: Comparative Historical Linguistic Study

Irma Setiawan

doi:10.31849/reila.v4i1.9579

Irma Setiawan Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31849/reila.v4i1.9579

Keywords: Language kinship, Conflict resolution, Sasak language, Samawa language, Linguistics Historical Comparative

Abstract

West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has two kinds of related ethnic languages, namely the Sasak language (BS) and the Samawa language (BSw). As related languages, the two ethnic groups often come into conflict. Conflicts are generally caused by the lack of a good and effective communication process. This study investigates the phenomenon of linguistic kinship and describes various phonemic features as a solution for resolving regional conflicts. The research uses Linguistics Historical Comparative (LHC) Theory with synchronic studies. The research method used phenomenological principles with qualitative descriptive research. The object of study is BS and BSw. The research instrument used Swadesh vocabulary and Lexicostatistical parameters. Data collection was conducted by documentation. Data analysis applied qualitative description technique includes reduction, presentation, and verification. The results showed that 68 words were the same, 52 words were similar, and 87 were different. Word relations based on parallel and serial structures of kin with contradictory meanings, such as: /apa/ (a~ə/-#), /anjing/ (c~s/#V-V#), /baru/ (a~ǝ/#C-C# and Ø~?/-#), /benar/ (k~t/#-), /benih/ (ɛ~i/#C-C#), and /bunuh/ (Ø~bǝ/#- and ?~ Ø/-#). In syllables and phonemes, BS and BSw have variants /e/ > [ǝ],[e],[Ɛ]. The percentage of relatives, 58%, is of language family status, both genetically and proto-Austronesian. The period of separation of the two languages is 1292 years, to be precise, occurred in 730 AD. The contribution of similarity is phonemically observed through three dimensions of inter-ethnic conflict resolution: signification, domination, and legitimacy. The research findings are in the form of formulations/concepts of solutions for resolving regional conflicts through the kinship of phonemic features of the Austronesian language, the traditions/culture and beliefs of speakers, and the social system of society. It is a reference for preventing regional conflicts in NTB in particular and Indonesia in general.

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Author Biography

Irma Setiawan, Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia

Dr. Irma Setiawan, M.Pd. born in Selong, East Lombok Regency on September 29, 1989. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in 2012 and 2014 in the Language, Indonesian and Regional Education study program at the University of Mataram, NTB. Then, he continued his studies at the Doctoral level in Linguistics and completed it in 2019 at Udayana University, Bali. Proudly, his first degree (S1) until Doctoral degree (S3) education was completed with Scholarship from the Kemendikbud. In 2018, he received a short course scholarship from ILDEP SOAS University of London, UK and Warm Foundation from Australian National University, AUS. In 2019 - now, he is assigned by the Director General of GTK to be the national instructor for Education and Strengthening Principals and Principal Candidates in the NTB Region. He is a permanent lecturer at the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program, FKIP, Muhammadiyah University of Mataram, NTB and has the additional task of being the Head of the UPT. PPTIK/PUSTIK.