Language Kinship: A Study of Indonesian Local Languages

Banten people in Indonesia dominantly use two local languages ​​as their mother tongue/first language, namely Banten Javanese and Banten Sundanese. Although these refer to different languages, the fact shows that both languages have similarities in both phonological and morphological patterns. This study aims at discovering the language kinship and dialect variations that occurred among Banten local languages. The method used in this research is a case study. Sources of data are Banten Javanese natives in Lemah Abang and Kragilan Village in Serang Regency, while Banten Sundanese natives are from Cihideung Village in Pandeglang Regency and Kadu Ketug Village in Lebak Regency. The data are collected from the results of observation, interview, and documentation. The data analysis uses the Miles and Huberman’s model combined with the lexicostatistics technique of 200 Swadesh word-lists. The results prove that (1) there are 51 or 25.5%, completed to 26%, pairs of identical words with morphemic and phonemic similarities; (2) the separation-time between Banten Javanese and Sundanese from proto-language ​​occurred in a long period, that is around 1176 to 316 BC; and (3) the variations of dialects among Banten Javanese and Sundanese occur in regional or geographical dialects. These conclude that the variation of Banten Javanese and Sundanese from proto due to the differences in speakers’ regional or geographical backgrounds. Banten Javanese is widely used in northern Banten which covered Serang and Cilegon, while Banten Sundanese used in southern Banten which covered Pandeglang and Lebak.