TcodeX Every region has its way of speaking. In Bobos Village, Dukupuntang Subdistrict, language is not just a means of communication but a marker of history, identity, and cultural mixing. Located at the end of Dukupuntang subdistrict but bordering Majalengka, this village is a vibrant field with a variety of languages that are interesting to observe.
Language in Bobos Village is not just about speaking. it reflects how age, geography, and culture shape the way people refer to “Abu” as leubu or turn “Cium” into nyium. If language is a map, then Bobos Village is the crossing of the route, connecting traditions and generations.
Through direct observation and interviews with two residents of different generations, I found that there is a unique variety of Sundanese. This variation occurs due to the influence of age, social interaction, and the strategic geographical location of the village.
Classification of Language Variations
One of the most noticeable forms of variation is phonological change. For example, the word “abu” becomes “leubu” in the older generation a sound shift that adds local color without altering meaning. Similarly, “benar” becomes “bener”, and “membelah” becomes “meulah”. These seemingly minor changes in sound reflect unique local identity and oral tradition.
In addition to sound shifts, morphological changes are also apparent. Words are often restructured with distinctive Sundanese affixation. For instance, “membunuh” becomes “maéhan”, “mengalir” becomes “ngalir”, and “mencuci” becomes “ngumbah”. These forms show how Sundanese grammar is integrated into daily speech. Interestingly, the younger generation tends to simplify such forms, influenced by modern usage and exposure to Indonesian through education and media.
Lexical variation is even more striking. Words like “air” become “cai”, “matahari” becomes “panonpoé”, and “ikan” becomes “lauk”. However, not all words goes through transformation. Many speakers in Bobos Village directly use Indonesian words in everyday conversation without adapting them. For instance, people often say “awan” instead of the older Sundanese word “mega”. Similarly, “bintang” has become more common than the traditional “bentang”. These shifts show how younger generations prefer Indonesian terms, gradually phasing out older Sundanese vocabulary.
This indicates a lexical shift where younger speakers increasingly favor Indonesian forms, while older generations preserve the traditional Sundanese equivalents. Interestingly, words like “langit” have remained unchanged across generations, suggesting that certain vocabulary holds stronger roots and resistance to change.
The Sundanese speech level system, known as undak usuk basa, also plays a key role in the language changes happening in Bobos Village. This system governs how people speak based on age, social status, or relationships between speakers. In practice, the word “eat” can be expressed in different ways. Old generations often uses “tuang” to more polite meanwhile young generations tends to use “dahar”, a more neutral.
This shows that younger generations are simplifying the traditional Sundanese speech levels. While they still value respect and politeness, they no longer rely as heavily on specific vocabulary to express it.
Bobos Village is not just an area of Cirebon in Dukupuntang Kec. Bobos is a cultural node. Through phonological, morphological, and lexical variations, we see that Sundanese in this village has not only survived but also adapted without losing its roots.
By Sindi Nur Alpiyah
