The Revitalisation of Tobati, an Endangered Language of Papua in Indonesia

Abstract

The growth of infrastructure development in the Indonesian province of Papua has had a sometimes detrimental impact on local languages. One of the areas targeted for infrastructure development by the Indonesian central government is the village of Tobati in the region of the Papuan capital Jayapura. In this area, the central government has built a bridge that connects two previously separated areas, namely Jayapura and the Skouw Cross Country Border Posts. This situation will affect Tobati, a local language used in the nearby village of the same name. Therefore, the Language Development and Cultivation Agency under the authority of the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture has initiated a project to revitalise the language. The revitalisation process will have a significant impact on education, social activities, and culture. In terms of education, the project provides a compatible learning model that is used to teach and learn Tobati in Inpres Tobati Elementary School. Socially, it helps to change people’s mindset about learning Tobati. Culturally, it explores Tobati’s historical background and vocabulary. Lastly, Tobati revitalisation encourages the Jayapura government to continue the preservation of endangered languages through signing a commitment to that effect.

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