'Mother Tongue' of the Mandailing People

WE 'MOTHER TONGUE',

OLDEN, TODAY AND TOMORROW

By : Edi Nasution

Occorence evolutionary process with respect to natural selection that afflicts living beings, is now likely to occur also in ‘human language’. Despite the controversy the theory of evolution as formulated by Charles Darwin (1809-1882), then there is concern because sufficient facts showing that the number of 'mother tongue' in the world are threatened with extinction. Concerns about the extinction of a number of 'mother tongue' has existed since started to decrease even loss of speakers 'mother tongue' (Muhammad Kadapi, 2009). In that regard, the United Nations Organization for Education , Science and Culture (UNESCO) has set 'February 21' as the 'International Mother Language Day'. This declaration is realized in the form of 'Martyr Monument' ('Shaheed Minar') at Dhaka University campus as a form of appreciation for the sacrifices Bangladesh Language on February 21, 1952 (Rafique Ahmed, 2006).[1] 

As reported in the publication of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), there are 6,912 languages ​​in 5 regions (Asia, Pacific, Aprika, Europe and America).[2] According to the sociolinguistic Gufran Ali Ibrahim (2008), that more or less than that amount, which is about 330 speakers of the language have 1 million people or more. A large number of speakers is inversely proportional to approximately 450 languages ​​in the world that have very little number of speakers, the old age and tend to move toward extinction. Broadly speaking there are two factors that are considered as the main cause of extinction 'mother tongue'. First, the parents no longer teach 'mother tongue' to their children and no longer use it at home. Secondly, it is the choice of most people not to use the 'mother tongue' in the realm of day-to- day communication.

Gufran added that the tendency of language extinction occur in developing countries and the poor. Some countries of which have not ethnic populations more than 5,000 people, though some of them have a number of sizable ethnic populations, such as Lenca language (36 858 people) and Pipil language (196 576 people) in El Salvador. However, the speakers of both languages ​​is active only about 20 people. So, these languages ​​have in fact endangered among the total population is relatively large. Most of the languages ​​that are endangered ethnic minority languages ​​that are isolated or minorities in the region has a variety of languages ​​and cultures. While in Indonesia, 'mother tongue' (speakers mention the name of this language is 'Ibo' or 'Tuan Tanah' ) in North Maluku, which is in the record Voorhoeve and Visser in 1987 amounted to 35 speakers, 5 speakers living in 2008 and aged over 50 years, located on the territory of a multi-language linguistic borders only between villages within no more than 5 kilometers. In fact, in 1951 based on mapping Esser, languages ​​identified in Indonesia amounted to 200 languages​​. Mother of the hundreds in Indonesia, it is known that some of the language was nearing extinction based on the remaining number of speakers, including languages: Amahai (50 person), Hoti (10 person), Hukumina (1 person), Ibu (35 person), Kamarian (10 person), Kayeli (3 person), Nusa Laut (10 person), Piru (10 person), Bonerif (4 person), Kanum Bädi (10 person), Mapia (1 person), Massep (25 person), Mor (20-30 person), Tandia (2 person), Lom (2 person), Budong-budong (70 person), Dampal (90 person), dan Lengilu (10 person).[3]  Indications that the extinction of a number of 'mother tongue' feared would impact on their cultural extinction, and could ultimately threaten the national culture.

Unlike the situation in Indonesia 'mother tongue' that generally face the threat of extinction, on the contrary several 'foreign languages' ​​even achieve popularity. As in the industrial area of ​​Karachi, Japanese language emerged as the new favorite among vocational high school students. With the goal of their post - graduation students can directly work in one of the companies in the industrial area, so that vocational high school in Karachi include Japanese language lessons as 'local content'. Another foreign language unquestionable popularity is English. Language as a language of international communication was asked this at least begin to shift the role or position of Indonesian. This is evidenced by the use of English as the language of instruction lectures in several departments at universities in Indonesia. Therefore, it seems that the theory of evolution are befalling the world of language: "who is stronger, he will survive". We 'mother tongue', inevitably, must now be eroded by Indonesian, and our national language is also seem to have started to compete with foreign language or international language.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla (2007) says that the 'mother language day' (mothertongue') has decreased further, both in quantity and in its use. The decline in the use of the Mother Tongue as the marriages between different tribes. Thus offspring or their children learn one language difficulties Mother of the parents. Other causes of our unsustainable Mother is also due to lack of school curriculum in favor.[4]

Furthermore Edi Sedyawati (1996) suggested that all of our Mother is the cultural wealth of the nation should be preserved. By mastering and using 'mother tongue', we can more easily communicate with the values​​, traditions, ethics, taste, and inner parents and ancestors are generated from the struggles they face various problems in life. We can learn about the principles and guidelines that have been livedand planted by our predecessors. Of course we do not swallow it all, but selecting which still can be used to cope with the demands and challenges of the present era. Mother deterioration due to the fact that Mother is not an 'official language' spoken in public life. In schools, for example, use of the 'National Language', which is Indonesian. As a result, 'mother tongue' is less exposed and became the official and informal language not only among speakers be covered. 'Mother tongue' is no longer a key condition for the success of a person in public life. In addition, we are now in the era of globalization, which is essentially driven by the power of capital seeking land for investment and market expansion. This process requires public institutions to function facilitates the process of globalization. Appropriate institutions and facilitate the expansion of capital strength that will endure and flourish. While institutions are not fit with and inhibit the process of expansion of capital strength that would be displaced. Because not become the official language, while the 'mother tongue' apparently considered not so facilitating the globalization process. Therefore, improved packaging 'mother tongue' lessons in schools is not necessarily an accurate answer to the development of mother language itself. If mastery of the mother language is a requirement for success in life in the midst of the current globalization of capital, certainly not told any of the younger generation will learn and use.[5]

It may be said that the complexity of the issue of 'mother tongue' in the archipelago stems from colonialism, 'exploitation de l' homme par l' homme', colonialism and exploitation, and oppression of human beings for the sake of the country following the mere invaders. Drama mastery disastrous misery was so deep-rooted in the joints of indigenous life, which in general totaled over 350 years. Control by the authorities (the invaders) applied political, economic, cultural, linguistic up. The colonists were suffering from a pathology - linguistic purisme this would not even language (Dutch be discussed - and just like that 'tainted' - by the residents of the colony. [6]

With the end of the colonial period the Dutch colonial government, and the (elite) stricken natives 'nationalism', ie desire so eager to establish a modern nation-state that is united, sovereign and independent, so it's only desire is to come as the 'nemesis', who was born European colonialism through a small number of socially elite who had gained the privilege fortunate to acquire a modern European -style school. European and Dutch schools have become "weg tot het Western" (the road to the West) that thrusts the direction of future target must be very convincing. The desire to clot , and then projected so strong that "unity becomes an obsession ... so that all the others, women, language, and religion, is instrumental to the unity or rather the ideals of unity would be" a new nation-state in archipelago.[7]

It seems, solely to satisfy the desire of 'modern nation-states', united, sovereign and that a new language was created. Previously, the Malay language which has for centuries successfully portray himself as a 'lingua franca' - transportation and trade language population in the archipelago in maritime civilization - have been become 'new means' for a new type of livelihood in the future: 'Indonesia Merdeka'. Indeed, Indonesia Language born through a considerable length of fierce debate in the First Youth Congress (1926) and Second (1928), but ironically the debate for the sake of argument it is done entirely in Dutch. High expectations heaped on the new language for the new means lifei later, in the post - colonial era, and thus all the colonial legacy of bitterness, melancholy and somber it wants to be thrown away to be replaced with all - new gala and promising all-round glory. However, all the expected 'all-new' is not coming immediately. In any nation-state saga of post - colonial "in the structure, the concept of wisdom, and a photocopy of the ideology of the colonial powers, only the rulers change skin color". This country is so longing kind of organic unity, and uniformity, or at least a situation that 'controllable' - in all fields of life of its citizens. Everything is not similar, the diversity of which is considered too cumbersome to be disciplined and subjugated under the unitary - 'ism', including in the field of Indonesian language with the settings in our constitution. With that, the language situation in the archipelago plurality addressed as "the nation's cultural wealth adihulung" [8], is a heritage that we now view 'old-fashioned', 'tacky' and even been deemed no longer use because it outdate.

For the efficiency and effectiveness of our communication now takes only 'one national language' compatible. With the election of the Malay language as the national language, hence it is necessary for coaching and development in order to provide a good means of adequate liaison. In this context we can understand the 'raison d' être Language Centre' which established rule of the past, which is a continuation of the 'Comissie voor de Volkslectuur' that formed the Netherlands in 1908. 'Language Center' that linguists are working hard to foster and develop the Indonesian becomes a language to support the programs of National Development. In a further development of Indonesian becomes sterile, scientific, sophisticated, modern, raw, yet people kept away from the speaker as the original manufacturer. Thus, if the trend of globalization in economics is liberalizing, politics is democracy, and the culture is universalization, then the acceptance of English as an international means of transportation evenly across the world has actually taken place 'universalization language'. In other words, the fact that all were putting the West as well as the main model locomotive in the process of formation of world civilization, which should be a reference . Only major languages ​​(English, French, German, and Italian) following literary and Western cultural scholarship is international (global), which is modern and should only be used as a mecca it is. That globalization plays an increasingly fierce urge our assorted Mother , as well as with other cultural elements, to the edge of the cliff so that the slightest touch , will fall into the abyss of a grim place our past (tradition) stockpiled.[9] With the such a tendency, whether 'mother tongue' we can still continue to exist in the future?

Mandailing People ('Alak Mandailing') as one of Indonesia's ethnic group, that inhabit the interior of the west coast of Sumatra island, also have a 'mother tongue' that 'Hata Mandailing' (Mandailing Language) and often called 'Saro Mandailing'. According Z. Pangaduan Lubis [10], has traditionally consisted of five Mandailing Language diversity: (1) Hata Somal, is the diversity of languages ​​used in everyday conversation; (2) Hata Andung, a kind of English Literature variety, which at the time special first used at the time bemoaning the corpses in funeral ceremonies (called 'mambulungi') and also a girl who mourn in front of his parents at the time of departure will leave them to be brought to the groom's family home; (3) Hata Teas Dohot Jampolak, is the variety 'invective language' is used when there are specific things that are not as good as quarrel or fight; (4) Hata Sibaso, is a special variety of language used by Sibaso (figure shaman as an intermediary medium of the real nature and the supernatural) when it is in a state of trance  and is also used by 'Datu' (traditional healers) in time to treatment; and (5) Hata Parkapur, the variety of 'sircumlocusi' language that was used by the Mandailing people 'kapur barus' (camphor)  search when in forest.

Z. Pangaduan Lubis added, that in addition to a wide range of Mandailing language fifth the past Mandailing people also have one other language variety called 'Hata Bulung Bulung' ('language leaves').[11] Different from ordinary language, which used as the words in the 'Hata Bulung Bulung' is leaf herbs in 'Saro Mandailing' called 'bulung-bulung'. Foliage used is the leaves that had his name rhyme with the words contained in the 'Saro Mandailing'. For example, the leaves of plants is called 'hadungdung' is used to convey 'dung' word ('after'); leaf plant named 'sitata' is used to convey the 'hita' word ('us'); leaf plant named 'sitarak' is used to convey the'marsarak' word ('split'); leaf herbs called 'sitanggis' word ('incense') is used to convey the word 'tangis' ('crying'); and leaves of plants called 'pau' ('ferns') are used to convey the 'diau' word ('for me'); leaf plant named 'podom-podom' is used to convey the 'modom' word ('sleep'). If for example, all the leaves are delivered by a young man to his lover, the lover will understand that the young man told him : "dung hita marsarak jolo tangis au anso modom". It means "after we parted ways, I cried first and could fall asleep".

Generally users 'Hata Bulung Bulung' is the youth (called 'Naposo Nauli Bulung'), especially at the time they were dating. In the past, dating activities (romance) between boys and girls in Mandailing society absolutely should not be done openly. Relationships and romance should be kept secret or done in secret.[12] Therefore, if two young people who are dating to convey something in between them, then they use 'Hata Bulung-Bulung'. And if a lover to convey leaves as a 'love letter' to her boyfriend, he must do it in secret. For example, by putting the leaves in one particular place that has them both agree and no one else knows. Clandestinely those who have become lovers would visit the ' secret place ' is in turn, to see if in that place there is a 'love letter' that consists of certain leaves. Is there a tribe (ethnic group) that has the systems and the kinds of language such as 'Saro Mandailing' in other continents ? It is at once an indication thatMandailing people is one of the tribal (ethnic group) are quite old in the archipelago ('Nusantara').

At the present time, 'Hata Bulung-Bulung' and use the complete loss of cultural traditions Mandailing community. Similarly, the wide - range of languages ​​mentioned above, except 'Hata Somal' who still continue their use in everyday conversation. The extinction of a wide - variety of language is so rich that it is very detrimental to Mandailing own citizens, even detrimental to the nation of Indonesia as a wide - variety of languages ​​is a wealth of ethnic culture (Mandailing), which if already extinct and impossible to turn back.

In addition to having its own language, the Mandailing ethnic group also has its own alphabet, called 'Surat Tulak Tulak'. In the past, these characters are not used to record history or write, but to write 'Tarombo' ('family tree'). It is also widely used to record the traditional medicine and the science of forecasting in a traditional book called 'Pustaha'.[13]

In terms of phonological, according Jasinaloan [14], Mandailing language is applying syllabic language and written in the past in a traditional script called 'Surat Tulak Tulak' (alphabet Mandailing traditional) which consists of 21 phonemes are: a , ha , na , ma , nga , la , pa , ga , ja , ba , ta , ra ​​, sa , da , ka , ca , it , wa , i , yes , u. Phonemes are represented with 21 (twenty one) 'Ina ni Surat' ('Letter Parent') and 5 (five) 'Anak ni Surat' ('Letter Kids') as follows:

When examined more deeply, according Jasinaloan again, there are some characteristics that are quite prominent Mandailing language, among others :

First, the phoneme "k" velar and glottal stop at the end of the word denoted by a sign, although different in nature, such as the word 'tetek' significant 'tetes' ('drops') and "buang air besar' ('defecation'); 'sosak' means 'fast' ('rush') and 'sesak' ('breath') ; 'golak' means 'laughter' and 'mocked'; 'etek' means 'aunt' and 'percussion instruments from bamboo'.

Second, the use of sound (letter) vocals are very prolific and varied as well as the following examples:

sa: sarsar, saksak; 

si: sirsir, siksik; 

su: sursur, suksuk; 

se: serser, seksek; 

so sorsor, soksok .

ta: taktak, tartar; 

ti: tiktik, tirtir; 

tu: tuktuk, tultul; 

te: tektek, terter; 

to: toktok, tortor.

pa: pakpak, paspas; 

pi: pirpir, pispis; 

pu: purpur, puspus; 

pe: perper, pespes; 

po: porpor, potpot.

Third, there is a word consisting of vocal groups such as: aua, uai, ee, and aa. For details, can be seen in the sentence: "uai iaua he au i" (meaning: "What made ​​me want to like this") consisting of twelve vocal group that has never been discovered, such as the shape, in the mother tongue owned by other ethnic groups. In addition, the vocals alone can function as a single morpheme as: "a" in the word number 'Adua' (meaning 'two'); "i" can mean 'it' (ie 'ima' word , which means 'that') and the prefix 'di ( 'in' eg 'isadu' word, meaning 'there'), "e" means 'hia' ('hi') , "u" means 'ku' ('my'), and "o" which means 'ya' ('yes') or 'kau' ('you').

Fourth, greatly affects the intonation on the word meaning. On the basis of the word 'bagas' for example, was instrumental tempo pressure determines the meaning. 'Ba'gas' word meaning 'house', while bag'as means 'inside'. Other examples such as the word 'parmangan'. With different pronunciations can be significant: (1) likes to eat; (2) the money used to buy food; and (3) how to eat. So also with other forms such as 'da'bu' word means 'drop', and 'dabu' word means "in a state of falling".

Fifth, the 'root' was instrumental in the establishment of basic words. To detail can be seen in the example the following words: (1) antuk, batuk, kurtuk, lantuk, maturutuk, potuk, retuk, sotuk, tuktuk, utuk; (2) apit, ubit, lompit, sipit, pitpit, tipping, dalkit, gigit, ancit, singit, rongit, angit, arit, sirit, gorit, ririt; (3) andarohot, dapot, dohot, lolot, morot, korot, sorot, , potpot, lampot, sangkot, sungkot, singkot, sohot, ngot, tungkot, ingot, sirohot, salohot, moncot, to'pot, topot. Of the three examples above each group has relevance meaning. For example the number one has a relationship with sound, in the second example relates to the relationship meaning something minimal, small, and almost, while the third example has the meaning relationship with the place, the process leading to or leaving the premises.

Sixth, the use of 'additive' very productive. In addition to the many particle number, functions and notions that appear more varied. One word can be imbued basis by more than twenty affixes. Prefix 'ma + dabu' can be: (1) 'mada'bu' (fall), (2) 'ma'dabu' (already/ in a state of falling; and (3) 'mandabu' (dropped) . Allomorph or morpheme variations not only in the prefix'me' - and 'pe', but the prefix 'sa', eg in the form 'sambola', 'sandok', 'sanggotap'. Combined affixes can occur at the end of words such as for 'dokon' word + 'on' (dokonon), +  'kon' (dokononkon), +  'on' (dokononkonon), 'dorapkononkon'. Besides it can also form affixes the adjective level, for example in the word: 'godang', 'godangan', 'gumodang', 'mago'dang',  'ma'godang', 'magodangan', 'magodangtu', 'murgodang', 'murmagodang', 'murmurmagodang', 'targodang', 'tarumgodang', 'tartargodang', and 'sagodang-godangna'.

Seventh, the use of 'particles' are very dominant. Particles that are used include: 'ba', 'bo', 'da', 'do', 'to', 'le', 'ma', 'pe', 'te', and others. In speech language (oral), the use of these particles often shortened to an acronym, such as : 'ro ma ho tu son' became 'roson', 'kehe ho ma tu si' becamme 'kesi', and so forth .

Indeed, 'Hata Somal' as 'mother tongue' in Mandailing still able to hold up to a globalized world. But along with the development and progress of the age, which occurred during the last decades on various aspects of community life Mandailing, so even this was 'Hata Somal' has undergone many changes. It is characterized by the number of words uptake from other tribal languages​​, especially those related to science and technology, which is used by students and scholars Mandailing people in everyday communication.[15] Not infrequently, that after the words of the absorption becomes 'Hata Somal' for them, but no longer the same sense understanding its origin. Examples such as the 'angsa' ('goose') word   which originally was 'trademark' of the kind of goods (cauldron) with a logo image ducks geese , but then in another it means to be 'Hata Somal', namely 'large pot'. Thus the " 'goose' word  that ambiguity animals (ducks) and a large frying pan made ​​of iron (metal) . Similarly, for the words 'Honda' meaningful trademarks and motorcycles. Another thing, for example if the first Mandailing want a piece of string to measure the length spanned by both hands (called: 'sangkolak', 'duangkolak', etc.), but now they are already prevalent use of meters and centimeters. In fact, if we look further and deeper will show how many words uptake has become an integral part of Hata Somal longer they use now. Instead, maybe not a few of treasury Hata Somal who already have long gone because they no longer use in their daily lives.

Still fresh in my memory as a child at home, while playing with peers often one of us, there were wounded in the feet or hands because shards of glass, for example. To treat the wounds we quickly located the 'bulung balerang', which is a kind of plant leaf grass smelled of sulfur, which is easily found growing just around the township. After 'bulung balerang'  was found, without the need to be washed first, but immediately chewed in the mouth . After 'bulung balerang' it becomes smooth, then later placed on the wound so that the blood does not trickle continues. The difference with the current situation, there may be no longer children Mandaling who knows 'bulung balerang' and so is the usefulness due to treat wounds because they are now more familiar and confident using the 'ubat merah' (antiseptic) produced manufacturers and it should be exchanged with money (bought) in the tavern.

As I recall there was again a word that never again appear in everyday conversation people Mandailing , namely 'mandersa'. In fact, the word 'mandersa' meaning' mosque 'is, is a place of worship for followers of Islam, which had long been classified as followers of their religious and devout. Now they named the place of worship (prayer) that the word 'musojit', which certainly comes from the word 'mosque'. While the name of a place of worship that is smaller in size and simple: 'suro', which means 'very small mosque', still survive until now. Generally 'suro' was founded on the banks of the river, such as along the Batang Gadis which flows from south to north through the many villages in Mandailing.

On the other hand, a trend that is happening in the Mandailing now, especially those who go abroad and then settled in big cities in Indonesia, although there are some of them that does not seem so respect to the existence and benefits of the 'mother tongue' by no longer teach their offspring to use 'Saro Mandailing'.[16], but not a few among them who still use Mother in communication , as in the 'regular recitation' ( so-called 'parwiritan') organized by the association of the owners of the grocery store (called 'parwarung') in Jakarta and other major cities in Indonesia, as many as 3 or 4 times a year. 'Parwarung' communities who still use Mother is also generally do not have high awareness and strong will that his descendants were able to use the 'Saro Mandailing' in everyday life. This was probably due to the time and attention they are much taken for business activities, as 'parwarung', so that they can keep a decent living (survive) in the major cities. While in the old country (Tano Sere Mandailing) was probably only a few people really care about what and how they were later /mother tongue'. The cause may be relatively similar to what is experienced by the majority of the immigrants who settled in urban Mandailing, ie the economic crush. Those who live in the hometown, most of the farmers are still planting rice in the fields and cultivate a garden in traditional forest with limited land area anyway, so to be able to meet the needs of everyday life and the children's school finance they had quite a headache thinking about it.

In short, most people with conditions such Mandailing it, students and scholars (intellectual) Mandailing people should have a heightened awareness and consideration to the existence of 'Hata Somal' as their mother language in the future.

Gandoang. March 10, 2014.

~o0o~

Footnote

============ 

[1] In Khagrachari Hill District of the Chittagong Hill Tracts in southeastern Bangladesh, about half the population originated from various indigenous ethnic minority communities, while the rest is Bengali. Indigenous children from school can be rejected because they do not speak Bangla language, which is used as a teaching language. Evidence from around the world shows that it is very important to start his education in the language of the most well known to the child , the mother language. In some Asian countries ( including Bangladesh, India, China, Vietnam, Mongolia and Myanmar), save the children to promote multilingual education. This approach means that children first develop a strong foundation with 'mother tonge', and then went on to learn the National Language while continuing to learn other subjects in their own language. This method allows the children to develop well through the school, while holding fast to Mother and identity, as well as gain access to the language of commerce, business and government. See "The shift towards Mother Language Education for Indigenous Children in Bangladesh", EENET asia Newsletters : Third Edition - June 2007, February 21, 2007.

[2] SIL is a non- governmental organization based in Texas, USA. SIL was founded by William C. Townsend and Kenneth L. Pike in 1934 , which was originally a linguistika course program in the summer at a farm in Arkansas. Starting from the SIL expands to all corners of the world, sending its researchers to the areas inhabited inland tribes are often considered to be 'isolated'. The ethno-linguistic live for years even decades in it and live with the tribes. While researching them reconstruct (formulate grammar), codified (compiled dictionary) local tribal language, and other things. Sociolinguistic survey results were published periodically be cataloged language book titled Ethnologue: Languages ​​of the World. This language catalog book contains information (survey results) are admittedly quite full of diversity in languages ​​all over the world , who conducted a massive and continuous by SIL. See Hasan Bachtiar, "tapestries torn - going back many: Multilinguitas Indonesia in Crisis", Desantara, 14/V/2005 Edition, p . 46 and 50.

[3] One of the expert Local Language ie Kunjana R. Rahardi (2009), said that of the 706 Local Languages ​​in Indonesia, only 20 percent or 141 well-developed language. The existence of regional language should be able to strengthen the Indonesian vocabulary, but the opposite happened. Indonesian people use sometimes mixed-up with a foreign language, but the words actually exist in Indonesian.

[4] Tjandra Goddess writes that once out of the womb, the cries of newborns have shown that the language used traits of both parents. A French study showed babies tend to cry with a rising melody patterns in a pitch that is slowly increased from the beginning to the end . Baby cries in contrast to Germany, which seems more like melodic patterns decreased . Both of the baby's crying pattern is consistent with the difference between the German and French languages​​. This suggests that children begin to learn the language elements in the womb, long before their first babble. The study of language before birth have long been known to affect the baby. Previous research, for example, shows a newborn is more like the sound of her voice than others. How babies imitate melody patterns rely on the command stored in the "voice box" that they had before the birth, not the control of the vocal tract to make a nasal sound that require high proficiency. According to Kathleen Wermke, a medical anthropologist at the University of Wurzburg in Germany, at a very early age began to imitate her mother's voice. Newborns are highly motivated is likely to mimic the behavior of his mother to draw the attention of the mother and strengthen the bonds of both. See TEMPO Interactive, Monday, November 9, 2009 .

[5] Edi Sedyawati added , that indeed we certainly should not expect Mother became public language let alone the official language, because less grounded primarily in the context of nation-building. In our diverse society, Indonesian has become one of the unifying reliable . But Mother as a spoken language, private, and informal that it would remain living in the community. However, 'mother tongue' remains a means of expression that is more effective and satisfying one's mind when communicating with addressees be covered. Mother became an alternative function expressive communication in accordance with the instincts and mind, so that it can meet the needs of our culturally. Using Local Language will be covered with people can relax the nerves of the inner pressures of public life and the demands of globalization . Without 'mother tongue', it seems we lack shelter in the midst of public life which is often exhausting our inner. Ibid.

[6] Hasan Bachtiar, Op.Cit., p. 47.

[7] Ibid .

[8] Ibid .

[9] Ibid, p. 48-49.

[10] Z. Pangaduan Lubis, "Mandailing Language", http://www.mandailing. org/ind/ rencana20.html, accessed February 10, 2010. Also see "Overview Culture Mandailing", http://gondang.blogspot.com/.

[11] The former inspector general of the Dutch colonial government educational Ch . A. van Ophuijsen named 'Hata Bulung Bulung' as 'Bladerentaal'. In addition to examining the Malay language, he has also been researching language Mandailing, including the 'Hata Bulung Bulung'. Ibid. Ch. A. van Ophuijsen assisted by Nawawi Soetan Ma'moer and Moehammad Taib Ibrahim Soetan compose new spelling in 1896. Guidelines grammar Spelling became known as the Van Ophuijsen officially recognized the Dutch colonial government in 1901. See Kushartanti, Lucky Yowono and Multamia RMT Lauder (ed), Enchantment Language: Getting Started Understanding linguistics, New York: Scholastic, 2001.

[12] The young people have a tradition dating Mandailing (courtship) called 'markusip', which occurred in the middle of the night until dawn. Description more about the traditions of this markusip see Edi Nasution, Tulila: Muzik Bujukan Mandailing, (Penang- Malaysia: Areca Books , 2007).

[13] That is why until now was not found written historical records Mandailing by 'Surat Tulak Tulak' in 'Pustaha'. Matters relating to past Mandailing just recorded as 'oral history' of the stories Mandailing the past sometimes spoken by the people who still remember and had never written the 'Surat Tulak Tulak'. Z. Pangaduan Lubis, Op.Cit.

[14] Jasinaloan, "Hata Mandailing" , http://bakhsanparinduri85.wordpress.com/, accessed February 12, 2010.

[15] Language Mandailing as 'warehouse' the safest storage for a wealth of culture, also was headed for extinction, including at home. If the language of the original vocabulary Mandailing loss, it is a sign of cultural extinction Mandailing. Let us observe the vocabulary used Mandailing at home in everyday conversation, perhaps nearly half of which are elements of the uptake of other languages​​. Zulkifli B. Lubis, "Meretas Jalan Kebersamaan, Bersatu Membangun Kembali Mandailing", http://mandailing. org.

[16] There is a observers who argue that students who master the 'mother tongue' well , will have a strong foundation for learning a foreign language, so that the students will be able to master it with ease. In addition, the students will avoid the risk of learning difficulties or other problems due to the unpreparedness of learning a foreign language. If we want to teach foreign languages ​​from an early age to the students, then parents need to plan and prepare yourself anyway. That is, parents also have to master the foreign language well, so that it can provide a consistent environment between home and school. If that is not done then the development of linguistic intelligence (intelligence speaking) the students can actually blocked and will affect other aspects of life. A good way to teach children a foreign language is to get used to communicate with them daily in two languages ​​( bilingual ) . In addition to easy , the kids did not feel forced because it does not need lessons or learn formally . Enough to get children to hear or talk with the foreign language , then the students can easily master the foreign language . See "Going Bilingual Children, Past Master Mother", Sumut Post, October 24, 2009. See also Tri Budhi Sastri in his paper that, among others, wrote that Edith Lam , a math teacher , who helped two researchers languages​​, Veronica Hsueh and Tara Goldstein, who observe and record how the mother language can help students master a foreign language, it gained a considerable sum surprising. Mother proved that not only helps the students to communicate for them but also helps the mastery of a foreign language faster. See "Mother Tongue - How Your fate now ? Between Changes, Extinction and viability", http://fs.unitomo.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/bahasa-ibu-bagaimana-nasibmu-kini-makalah-univ-udayana.doc.