The Use of the Madurese Language Among Eighth-Grade Students at SMPN 1 Nonggunong

Abstract

The Madurese language is one of the regional languages that plays an important role as a cultural identity for the Madurese community. However, along with the times and the influence of globalization, the use of the Madurese language among teenagers, particularly eighth-grade junior high school students, is increasingly declining. This study aims to determine the factors causing the diminishing use of the Madurese language and its impact on the preservation of regional culture. The method used is a descriptive qualitative method through observation and simple interviews with 8th-grade junior high school students. The results show that the use of Indonesian and foreign languages in daily life is more dominant than the Madurese language. The main factors influencing this condition are the school environment, social media, technological advancements, and the lack of habituation in using the Madurese language at home. Therefore, efforts from families, schools, and communities are needed to preserve the Madurese language as a regional cultural heritage, through the habit of daily communication within the family, school, and community environments.