The Angkola Cultural Lexicone: A Sociolinguistic Study

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the cultural lexicon of the Angkola language in South Tapanuli. The study of the understanding of the lexicon is the basis for determining the sustainability of the Angkola cultural lexicon. The theory used is sociolinguistic theory, while to measure the level of understanding, use the EGIDS scale model proposed by Lewis and Simons. The method used is a quantitative and qualitative method that involves distributing a questionnaire containing 207 Angkola cultural lexicons, interviews with traditional leaders, and observations. The questionnaire was distributed to 80 respondents who are Angkola people in South Tapanuli, with the age categories 26–35, 36–45, and 45 years and over. The results showed that of the 207 lexicons, only 80 were still safe because they were still understood by the 25- to 35-year old group. A total of 82 lexicons are threatened with extinction because people aged 35 and over still understand the lexicon. A total of 36 lexicons have shifted because only some people over 45 years of age still understand, and 9 lexicons are almost dead because those over 45 years of age no longer understand. The conclusion from the results of the study is that only 39,13% of the Angkola cultural lexicon is in the safe category, and 60,86% is endangered. So it is necessary to revitalize the cultural lexicon of Angkola.