Javanese Language Maintenance Based on Sociocultural Approach (A Case Study on Women in Rembang, Central Java)

Like other regional languages in Indonesia, Javanese language is progressively endangered by Indonesian language. This research employs a questionnaire and observation to answer the given hypothesis. The results indicate that , (a) the Javanese language variety of “ngoko ” is still moderately maintained by the speakers (women in Rembang coastal area), (b) the Javanese krama variety is almost extinct, (c) Indonesian and mixed languages have threatened the existence of Javanese. Several efforts made to preserve Javanese language is by exerting sociocultural approach, namely (a) speaking in Javanese language at home, (b) speaking in Javanese language with neighbors, (c) formal education, (d) non-formal education, (e) art / tradition, (f) religious activities, and (g) media.