THE LOSS OF IDENTITY OF SOME SUNDANESE CHILDREN IN BOGOR CITY DUE TO LACK OF EXPOSURE TO SUNDANESE LANGUAGE

Abstract

Bogor is an area in West Java, whose native language is Sundanese. However, compared to other areas, most native speakers in Bogor City, especially children, cannot speak Sundanese. They tend to speak Bahasa Indonesia, at home and outside their home. Although Sundanese language is included in the local contents in the school curriculum, it does not help children to be able to speak Sundanese. At school this subject is considered to be one of the most difficult, not only to children whose parents are non-Sundanese but also to those of Sundanese parents. These children cannot speak their own mother tongue. Then how can they say that they are Sundanese? This certainly has made them lose their own identity. This paper will discuss some factors why Sundanese is no longer popularly used by most children in Bogor, and how they react to Sundanese language subject at school.