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This study explores language variation across generations in Ancaran, West Jva, by examining phonological, morphological, and lexical differences in Sundanese spekers.
Introduction
Language is not static. It evolves through time and space, influenced by cultural shifts, technological development, social interaction, and exposure to other languages. In multilingual regions like Indonesia, local languages such as Sundanese exhibit unique variations, especially between generations. This study investigates such generational language variation by focusing on speakers from Ancaran village, a village located in Kuningan Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Situated in the eastern part of West Java, Ancaran is a predominantly Sundanese-speaking area where traditional values and modern influences often intersect in daily communication. To explore intergenerational differences in Sundanese usage, this study centers on two native speakers from Ancaran:
- Younger speaker
- Older speaker
Method
The research applies a qualitative comparative language variation analysis. Data were gathered through direct interviews and observation, where participants were asked to translate selected Indonesian words into Sundanese as they are commonly used in daily life. Researchers used the 200-item Swadesh word list, a standard language for identifying main vocabulary shared across time and space. So, the results revealed the language variation in phonological, morphological, and lexical differences between the two speakers. These differences—though sometimes subtle—point toward a generational shift in the way Sundanese is spoken and preserved. Below are the findings categorized into three main areas of analysis: phonological, morphological, and lexical.
Phonological Language Variation
Phonology is the study of sound systems and patterns in language. So, phonological variation is focuses on how individual sounds (phonemes) are pronounced and how they vary across different groups of speakers. Look at this data:
The phonological difference observed in this study is particularly evident in the way the word for “dingin” is expressed by each speaker. The younger speaker uses the word “tiris”, while the older speaker says “tiis”. At a glance, this may appear to be a simple variation, but it reflects a deeper phonological divergence between generations.
In “tiris”, the younger speaker inserts the consonant /r/ between the vowels, creating a more dynamic articulation. The presence of /r/ may indicate an influence of colloquial speech, where faster and more fluid pronunciation is common. This could also be an adaptive response to social environments where speech is more casual and interactional pace is quicker, such as in urban or youth-dominated contexts.
Morphological Language Variation
Morphology is the study of word formation, including the structure of roots, prefixes, infixes and suffixes. Let’s take a look the data below:
The morphological differences between the younger and older Sundanese speakers reveal a shift in word formation patterns across generations. As we can see, the younger speaker tends to use simplified forms such as “meulah”, “dorong”, and “itung”. These forms are notably shorter due to the omission of the prefix “nga-” or “ng-”, which is typically attached to base verbs in standard Sundanese. This simplification might reflect a more casual or conversational style that prioritizes ease and speed in communication.
On the other hand, the older speaker consistently uses the full morphological forms: “ngabeulah”, “ngadorong”, and “ngitung”. The use of the “nga-” or “ng-” prefix indicates adherence to more traditional grammatical structures, possibly influenced by a stronger grounding in formal or classical Sundanese. This suggests that older speakers maintain a more complete and structured morphological system, while younger speakers demonstrate a tendency toward abbreviation and simplification.
Lexical Language Variation
Lexicon refers to the vocabulary of a language. Lexical variation means the use of different words to represent the same meaning. Let’s look at the data below:
From the perspective of the younger speaker, there is a clear tendency to use vocabulary that is simpler, more colloquial, or possibly influenced by urban Sundanese and Indonesian usage. For instance, the word for “balik” is expressed as malik, which may be a phonetically simplified form, while “banyak” becomes seueur, a common informal term in modern Sundanese. Similarly, goler for “baring” and kebel for “debu” indicate everyday, casual usage. The use of “eujeung” instead of “sareng” for “dengan” also demonstrates this informal preference, reflecting the way language adapts to modern speech habits and possibly media or peer influence.
On the other hand, the older speaker tends to retain more traditional and formal vocabulary. Words such as “mulih” (for “balik”) and “loba” (for “banyak”) are more typical of classic or literary Sundanese. The term sasarean for “baring” conveys a more refined or structured expression, while the use of “debu” instead of “kebul” suggests lexical consistency with the original Indonesian term, showing less phonetic innovation. Finally, “sareng” for “dengan” illustrates a polite, formal variant, commonly used in ceremonial or respectful contexts. These lexical choices signal a stronger attachment to traditional norms and linguistic preservation.
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