Tuturan Bilingualisme Mahasiswa Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Universitas Sumatera Utara

Abstract

This study aims to describe the percentage, language attitude relations, and factors influencing the maintenance of the Batak Toba language among students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, University of North Sumatra. The research employed a descriptive quantitative method, with data collected through questionnaires and interviews. The results show that the highest language maintenance occurs in the family domain, with a percentage of 52.5%, while in the friendship and educational domains, the percentages are significantly lower, at only 7% and 4%, respectively. Students’ attitudes toward maintaining the Batak Toba language are generally positive in the family setting, where the language is regarded as a symbol of cultural identity and ancestral heritage that must be preserved. However, in friendship and educational contexts, students tend to prefer using Indonesian and foreign languages. The supporting factors for maintaining the Batak Toba language include the family's role in preserving traditions and the use of the Batak language in traditional rituals and religious activities. Meanwhile, the main inhibiting factors are the dominance of the Indonesian language in the educational system, the influence of globalization, and economic pressures that drive students to prioritize proficiency in the national and foreign languages. Therefore, while the Batak Toba language is still maintained in the family environment, it faces significant challenges in the friendship and educational domains.