cirebon cultural tourism 
Sigong Village, part of the Lemahabang District in Cirebon. The Sundanese language lives on, is shaped by tradition, and is spoken in the flow of daily life. This article examines how the local speech in Sigong differs from standard Sundanese, focusing on phonological, morphological, and lexical variations.
In a small village on the eastern edge of Cirebon, language breathes through the fields, markets, and family kitchens. In Sigong Village, Sundanese is not just a tool for communication. It’s a vessel of identity, memory, and cultural rhythm. This piece explores how phonological shifts, morphological patterns, and lexical choices tell the story of a people rooted in tradition yet shaped by change.
Variation Sundanese language
The Sundanese language is a language that people actively use in daily life, especially across the western part of Java. It shows a wide range of variations that reflect its dynamic and flexible nature. These forms allow speakers to adapt their language to different social, cultural, and regional contexts. People use various forms of Sundanese that fall into several categories based on geographical location (dialects), levels of speech (undak-usuk basa), and functional usage (contextual or situational varieties). Each of these categories demonstrates how Sundanese speakers adjust their language use depending on where they live, who they talk to, and the situation they’re in.
Types based on geography (dialects), level of speech (undak-usuk basa), and function of use (functional variety). These variations reflect the adaptability of the language, allowing speakers to communicate effectively in diverse social and cultural contexts.
This study, we will focus on the Sundanese language of Cirebon in the village of Sigong.
In terms of morphology, younger speakers may prefer shorter forms like “mere” over the more traditional “masihan” for “giving,” a reflection of informal and rapid communication. The lexical choices in Sigong show how words like “seneu” (fire) or “hawangan” (river) preserve older, possibly endangered, forms of Sundanese vocabulary.
They’re signs of a living language, constantly adapting to its environment, generations, and values. And by understanding these patterns, we can appreciate how language actively shapes and reflects the fabric of a community.
Phonological in the Sundanese Language
| Word | Local Variation | Type of Phonological Change | Explanation |
| Nyeseuh | Nyeuseuh | Vowel shift (/e/ → /eu/) | Articulation becomes more rounded, typical of the Priangan Sundanese dialect. |
| Tiis | Tiris | Insertion of consonant (/r/) | Presence of additional /r/ reflects a local dialectal variation. |
| Taneuh | Taneuh (no change) | Elision (in fast speech) | Final /h/ is often dropped in rapid conversation. |
| Beureum | Bereum | Diphthong reduction (/eu/ → /e/) | Simplified pronunciation common among younger speakers. |
| Nguping | Mireung | Complete articulation shift | A case of full assimilation; different root syllables used in local variety. |
Morphological
| Word | Morphological Change | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Membelah → Ngabeulah | Prefix me- changes to nga- | Adaptation of the prefix to fit Sundanese phonology and morphology. |
| Memberi → Masihan → Mere | From complex form to simplified | Morphological contraction by shortening the root and affixes. |
| Berjalan → Leumpang / Mapah | Omission of prefix ber- | Replaced by a different verb root without the Indonesian prefix. |
| Mengapung → Ngambang | me- becomes nga- + root apung | Sundanese affix replaces standard Indonesian morphological structure. |
| Menggali → Ngagali → Guar | Root and structure simplification | Reduction from a complex to a more basic lexical form. |
Lexical Variations in the Sundanese Language
| Word | Sundanese Variation | Explanation |
| Api | Api / Seneu | Word choice depends on context: Api is more modern, Seneu is archaic. |
| Sungai | Setu / Hawangan | Setu refers to a small lake; Hawangan is used for a larger river locally. |
| Binatang | Sato / Satoan | Satoan refers to animals in general (plural or collective). |
| Bintang | Bentang / Bintang | Bentang is archaic; Bintang is the more modern and commonly used form. |
| Makan | Tuang / Dahar | Tuang is polite/formal (used for elders), while Dahar is more casual. |
Language is never static. As Sundanese continues to evolve, it offers us a mirror into how West Javanese society is changing across generations, technologies, and values. Preserving older forms doesn’t mean resisting change. In this way, each word you choose becomes a bridge between tradition and transformation.
Written by : Annisa Nurul Aini (12522070)
