REVITALIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL LANGUAGE VARIETIES: A STUDY ON PENGIYONGAN, SASAK, AND BALINESE DIALECTS

Abstract

The agricultural register represents a unique linguistic variety rooted in traditional agrarian communities. It encodes ecological wisdom, technical expertise, and cultural values transmitted across generations. This register functions not merely as a medium of communication but as a symbolic system that expresses the intimate relationship between humans, nature, and cultural identity. However, the forces of modernization, globalization, and digitalization have eroded its use among younger generations, creating a significant threat to the continuity of agricultural linguistic
heritage. This study aims to revitalize agricultural registers from three local dialects—Pengiyongan (Banyumas, Central Java), Sasak (Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara), and Balinese (Bali)—through comparative sociolinguistic analysis and digital documentation in the form of a contextual educational repository. Using a descriptive-qualitative approach with ethnolinguistic and ecolinguistic perspectives, data were gathered through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and field documentation. The results demonstrate that the Pengiyongan dialect emphasizes collective labor and cooperation, the Sasak dialect embodies ritual and ecological spirituality, and the Balinese dialect integrates social, ecological, and religious harmony through the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana. The findings affirm that agricultural registers serve as living archives of local ecological knowledge and cultural identity, underscoring the need for revitalization through digital and educational integration.