Revitalizing Cia-Cia: How Hangul is Preserving an Indigenous Language

In an innovative effort to preserve the indigenous Cia-Cia language, children in Indonesia's Baubau are learning to write using the Korean script, Hangul. This initiative highlights the cultural significance of language and aims to prevent the extinction of local dialects.

In a vibrant classroom in Baubau, Indonesia, excitement surrounds the introduction of a new lesson. Here, every student’s nameplate bears inscriptions in Hangul, the Korean script, as children eagerly embark on a journey to learn a remarkable method of writing. These fourth graders, however, are not delving into the Korean language; they are employing Hangul to write their own indigenous tongue, Cia-Cia. Long preserved through oral tradition, this language has remained unwritten, despite its existence among approximately 93,000 speakers on Buton Island, part of Indonesia's linguistic tapestry.

"Say, 'ph.' Hold a piece of paper in front of your mouth and ensure that it moves when you pronounce it," instructs Deuk-young Jung, a teacher devoted to cultural sustainability for over a decade at Hendea Elementary School. Indonesia holds a wealth of diverse languages, reflecting its rich cultural heritage; it is home to more than 700 native languages, only second to Papua New Guinea in linguistic diversity. Buton Island itself boasts several local languages and countless dialects, many of which face the looming threat of extinction due to their lack of a written form.

Language stands as a treasure of a community and a testament to civilization, states Amirul Tamim, a former mayor of Baubau, fully committed to preserving the Cia-Cia language's legacy. His sentiments resonate deeply, emphasizing that a language deprived of its own alphabet inevitably loses its authenticity and significance in the eyes of its speakers. The introduction of Hangul not only serves as a bridge to literacy for the youth but also emboldens their connection and commitment to their cultural identity.