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Karang Tengah is one of the villages located in Karang Sembung sub-district, Cirebon Regency. The village has a long history since it was first established in 1823 and is also known for its cultural diversity and distinctive traditions. Karang Tengah Village has several potentials, one of which is the potential of MSMEs and nature, one interesting thing about Karang Tengah Village is that it has a variety of Sundanese languages that are used daily by the local community.
Language is not only a means of communication, but also a local characteristic that strengthens the sense of community among villagers. The language used daily by the people of Karang Tengah Village has its own distinctiveness. Starting from the language used daily by children, teenagers, to adults. They use Sundanese with different accents and local terms. Children are usually accustomed to using vocabulary such as “ulin” (main), ‘cai’ (air), or “hejo” (hijau), both in the home environment and when playing. Adults and the elderly also still maintain the use of this language in daily conversations, both in farming activities, trading, and when gathering at the weekly market. The language they use not only maintains traditional elements, but is also a tool for transmitting cultural values to the younger generation.
Language use in Karang Tengah Village not only varies based on linguistic structure, but is also influenced by age differences. The younger generation and the older generation tend to use different word choices and speech styles, although both use Sundanese as a means of daily communication.
The 10-25 age group (Children & Teenagers) Children and teenagers usually often use Sundanese slang (more relaxed) and are sometimes influenced by Indonesian (slang). They also often mix languages or use abbreviations. Examples of language variation:
- Main: “Ulin”, but often also ‘main’ or “maén” in a Sundanese accent.
- Capek: “Pegeul” or sometimes just “cape”.
- Bagus: “Alus”, but young people often say “bagus pisan” or “kere.
- Makan: “Neda” or in casual conversation, they say “tuang”.
- Teman: “Babaturan”, but teenagers sometimes say ‘temen’ or “sobat”.
- Pergi: “Indit”, but also “kabur heula”, meaning going for a short walk.
They also often use joking language styles and contemporary terms such as:
- “Sok atuh” (ayo d)ng,
- “Gelo ah” (kamu )ucu banget/gila ya,
- “Rek kamana?” (mau kemana?) – typical teenage questioning style.
The 30-50 age group (Adults & Elderly) Adults and the elderly in Karang Tengah Village more often use subtle or standard Sundanese. The language they use is more polite, full of cultural meaning, and many use traditional terms. Example Variations:
- Eating: “Maeum” or “Dahar” (more refined and polite).
- Drink: “Nginum”.
- Tired: “Pegeul” or “leuleus”.
- Good: “Saé”, ‘alus’, or in an appreciative tone, “sampurna”.
- Children: “Barudak”.
The example of Sentences often spoken by this age 30 & 50
- “Kumaha damang?” (Bagaimana kabarnya?)
- “Tong poho neda heula” (jangan lupa makan dulu).
- “Lain kitu maksudna” (Bukan begit) maksudnya – used when explaining something carefully.
- “Sing salamet” (Semoga sel)mat/sukses – often used as a prayer.
Language is unique in that it is characterized by identity, culture and history. Language variations have various meanings, differences, and similarities. The language variations used in Karang Tengah Village are clear evidence that local languages have diversity and a unique community.
