cirebon cullinary Tukmudal Village, located in Sumber District, Cirebon Regency, shows a clear example of how language evolves within a local community. While it was historically a Cirebonese-speaking area, increased migration and economic growth have altered how language functions in everyday life. This article explores the Tukmudal Village language variations, highlighting phonological, lexical, and morphological differences across generations and social settings.
A Decline in Cirebonese Use
The use of the Cirebonese language in Tukmudal is increasingly rare. Many residents are migrants from other regions, including Sundanese, Javanese, Padang, and Banten-speaking communities. As a result, Indonesian has become the dominant language in public and economic life. Its use is practical: it’s a shared language that everyone understands, especially in a village known for its commercial activity.
Despite this shift, a small number of native Cirebonese speakers still live in the area. Their speech reflects a more traditional form of the language. Meanwhile, the younger generation displays distinct variations, influenced by their more diverse linguistic environment.
Cirebonese Language Variations in Tukmudal
Languave variations in Tukmudal can be seen clearly in everyday vocabulary. These differences are categorized into three types:
- Phonological: changes in pronunciation
- Lexical: use of entirely different words
- Morphological: changes in word structure or affixation
Here’s a breakdown of how these changes appear between older and younger speakers in the village:
| Indonesian | Standard Cirebonese | Elder Speaker | Youth Speaker | Type of Variation |
| Alir (Flow) | Ngicir | Nyirit | Ngucur | Elder: Phonological Youth: Lexical |
| Bilamana (When) | Lamun | Lamun | Baka | Youth: Lexical |
| Abu (Ash) | Abu | Awu | Awu | Both: Phonological |
| Mengapung (Float) | Kambang | Ngambang | Ngambang | Both: Phonological |
| Bagaimana (How) | Kepriben | Kepriwen | Prebe | Both: Phonological |
| Cium (Kiss) | Ambung | Ngambung | Ambu | Both: Morphological |
What These Language Variations Tell Us
In older speakers, Cirebonese retains many phonological features like nasal consonants or vowel shifts (e.g., Ngicir becomes Nyirit). In contrast, younger speakers often simplify these forms or adopt new words altogether (Bilamana → Baka). The word Cium (“kiss”) shows a morphological shift: Ngambung (elder) vs Ambu (youth). The younger form drops the nasal prefix “ng-”, making it more concise. This reflects a broader pattern of simplification in youth speech.
Cultural and Social Implications
The Tukmudal Village language variation illustrates how social mobility and urban influence can reshape local languages. The loss of traditional vocabulary and structure may reflect integration, but it also signals a weakening of cultural identity. Without community efforts to preserve Cirebonese, these variations may soon disappear entirely. The differences captured here offer valuable insight for linguistic documentation and education. Recognizing the shifts allows educators and cultural groups to strategize around which parts of the language can still be revitalized.
Tukmudal Village stands as a case study in how regional languages adapt or fade under pressure from migration, modernization, and daily practicalities. By examining the Tukmudal Village language variation, we better understand the challenges and possibilities for preserving linguistic heritage in changing rural communities.
