Language and Identity: Exploring the Vitality of the Dayak Bentian Language in Kutai Barat, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

• Published in: SUVANNABHUMI Vol. 17; no. 2; pp. 7 - 33
• Main Authors: Andi Indah Yulianti, Mangatur R. Nababan, Dwiani Septiana, Amanda Vira Maharani, Ratini Setyowati, Dewi Cahyaningrum, Dendi Wijaya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 부산외국어대학교 아세안연구원 31.07.2025
• Subjects: Dayak Bentian language; language and identity; language shift; language vitality; sociolinguistics; language and identity; Dayak Bentian language; language vitality; sociolinguistics; language shift
• ISSN: 2092-738X; 2799-7839
• DOI: 10.22801/svn.2025.17.2.7

The Dayak Bentian language, spoken by the Dayak Bentian tribe in Dilang Puti Village, Bentian Besar District, Kutai Barat Regency, East Kalimantan, is experiencing a shift that weakens its vitality. This decline in speakers is driven by increased bilingualism and multilingualism due to contact with neighboring language groups. This paper examines the extent of this language shift, the current vitality level of Dayak Bentian language, and strategies to prevent its extinction. The study aims to assess the language’s vitality and analyze its shifting domains, using descriptive methods. Data on language usage across various contexts in Dilang Puti village are gathered from local informants. The data are then processed through stages: (1) categorizing language use by domain, (2) identifying shifts in use, (3) evaluating language vitality using UNESCO and EGIDS scales, and (4) concluding findings.