LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY IN THE WEDDING CEREMONY OF BATAK TOBA

Abstract

In this article, my attempt is to reveal language and identity in the wedding ceremony of Batak Toba based on the consideration that language is an important part of any society, because it enables people to communicate and express themselves. Language is an important source of continuity and identity in a culture. Batak Toba is one of the ethnic groups of Batak society. Identity is very important in Batak Toba wedding ceremony. The social identity can be directly identified through the family name which is attached to every person from birth. In a wedding ceremony, the specifics of identity can be identified through the roles, action and language used. The identities of those people involved in the ceremony are really very unique and is interesting to investigate. The language expressed, the role and action done will always be related to one’s own identity. The uniqueness of identity is always related to family name of the groom and the bride giver sides. This event shows the significance of language in preserving culture and on the other way round this wedding tradition is hoped to maintain the existence of Batak Toba language.