Variations in the Sundanese Language in Leuweunggajah Village from Generation to Generation

Leuweunggajah Village, located in Ciledug Subdistrict, Cirebon Regency, is still deeply rooted in Sundanese culture and language. Local residents actively use the Sundanese language in their daily lives, from conversations at home to social activities. However, interestingly, the use of the Sundanese language in this village varies depending on age or generation. Therefore, there are clear differences between the older and younger generations in the way they speak Sundanese, particularly in terms of word forms, pronunciation, and vocabulary. These differences reflect how social factors and time influence their local language. Here, I interviewed elderly individuals aged 50–70 and teenagers aged 15–20. There are three variations of language from the results of these interviews.

1. Morphology (Word Form)

Linguists study morphology as a branch of linguistics that examines the structure and form of words, including how they form words from smaller parts called morphemes—the smallest units that carry meaning. In the village of Leuweunggajah, older adults aged 50–70 typically refer to the verb (hear) as “Ngadenge” from the base word “Denge” (hear), with the prefix “-Nga,” while younger people prefer to use the simpler form “Denge.” Similarly, the word “Orang” is referred to as “Jelema” by the older generation, while the younger generation says “Jama” by shortening it. This indicates that the younger generation tends to simplify word forms morphologically.

2. Phonology (Sound/Pronunciation)

In terms of pronunciation, there are often differences. Older generations tend to use more refined or even traditional word forms. On the other hand, the younger generation usually uses shorter, simpler, and more practical word forms. For example, the verb “Bunuh (-Me)” is called “Maehan” by the older generation, but teenagers call it “Paehan,” with a change in the consonant from M to P. Additionally, the older generation often refers to “Asap” as “Haseup,” while the younger generation calls it “Aseup.” These changes in pronunciation are simply adjustments to the speech patterns of the younger generation, without altering the original meaning.

3. Lexical (Vocabulary)

Lexical refers to vocabulary or word choice in a language. The main focus is on the meaning of words and their variations. The older generation in Leuweunggajah uses more formal and traditional words, while the younger generation prefers modern or borrowed terms. For example, the older generation refers to a small child as “murangkalih,” while the younger generation calls them “budak.” For “mother,” the older generation uses “indung,” but teenagers typically say “mamah.” When discussing sleep, the older generation uses the word “sare,” while the younger generation often says “bobo” or “hees,” depending on the situation and how close they are to each other.

This phenomenon shows that the vocabulary in Leuweunggajah Village continues to evolve, influenced by social and external factors, yet remains within the Sundanese language. The differences in Sundanese between the older and younger generations in Leuweunggajah Village demonstrate that this language remains vibrant and continues to develop. Despite variations in morphology, phonology, and lexical, all generations still use the Sundanese language as their primary means of communication. This is evidence that linguistic diversity does not erode identity but rather enriches the village’s cultural heritage.