Translanguaging as social practice: interethnic communication in the Tobati community of Papua

Abstract

This study examines translanguaging as a dynamic social practice in the interethnic interactions of the Tobati community, a linguistically and culturally diverse coastal village in Papua, Indonesia. Here, language mixing functions not only as a communicative tool but also as a strategic means of negotiating identity, enacting social roles, and fostering belonging across ethnic divides. Adopting a qualitative, micro-ethnographic design, the study engaged participants representing elders, youth, educators, and religious figures. Data were collected through a photovoice method, combining participant-generated photographs, in-depth interviews, and field observations, guided by the SHOWeD protocol to elicit reflective and critical insights. Thematic analysis, informed by critical sociolinguistic perspectives, identified four key domains where translanguaging operates: (1) as a symbol of inclusivity in marketplaces, (2) as a practice of politeness and spiritual sensitivity in religious spaces, (3) as a medium for transmitting values and authority in familial and customary forums, and (4) as a contextual pedagogical strategy in education. These findings highlight a bottom-up, localised language ideology rooted in relational ethics and cultural continuity. The study recommends integrating translanguaging into inclusive language-in-education policies and suggests further participatory research to explore its pedagogical and civic potential in similarly multilingual and multicultural settings.

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