Thelandofpapua.com – The Papua Language Center is intensifying efforts to revitalize local languages in Papua, aiming to halt the alarming trend of linguistic extinction. Antonius Maturbongs, an Intermediate Expert officer at the center, emphasized the urgency of this mission during a statement in Jayapura on Tuesday.

Maturbongs underscored the importance of ongoing revitalization initiatives, especially in the face of declining numbers of local language speakers. “Revitalization is being carried out, so that local languages do not experience extinction following the decreasing number of local language speakers,” he remarked.

Collaboration with local governments is pivotal in this endeavor, according to Maturbongs. The Papua Language Center remains committed to working alongside authorities in Papua to execute revitalization programs effectively.

Efforts to revive endangered languages have been underway since 2022, with a focus on languages such as Sentani, Tobati, Marin, Beaboa, Sobey, Kamoro, Biak, Moi, Hatam, and Dani. These languages, currently the center’s primary concern, are dispersed across several provinces, including Papua, Papua Pegunungan, West Papua, and Southwest Papua.

Maturbongs expressed hope that sustained revitalization efforts would lead to an increase in the number of language speakers, thereby safeguarding their survival. “Hopefully, with continuous revitalization, this language will not become extinct because its speakers will increase,” he affirmed.

Nevertheless, Maturbongs acknowledged the unfortunate reality of some languages already being lost. Tandia in Wondama Bay and Air Matoa in Kaimana, both in West Papua, along with Mapia in Supiori and Mawes in Sarmi District, Papua, are among the languages that have reportedly become extinct due to dwindling speaker populations.

“The extinction of the four languages is the result of no more speakers,” Maturbongs lamented.

The extinction of languages not only erases cultural heritage but also diminishes biodiversity in human communication. Efforts by organizations like the Papua Language Center are crucial in preserving linguistic diversity and ensuring the continued existence of indigenous languages in Papua.