Betawi Culture as an Instrument for Language Preservation: A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Betawi Culture and Language

This study aims to analyze the role of Betawi culture in preserving the Betawi language using a sociolinguistic approach, focusing on the Setu Babakan Betawi Cultural Village area in South Jakarta. As an officially designated center for Betawi cultural preservation by the government, Setu Babakan serves as an important space for various cultural activities that actively use the Betawi language. Using a qualitative-descriptive method, data were collected through participant observation and interviews with cultural figures, area managers, as well as artists and visitors. The results show that Betawi culture, such as lenong performances, gambang kromong art, traditional wedding reenactments, and traditional culinary arts, plays an active role in maintaining the existence of the Betawi language. The use of Betawi language in various cultural activities in Setu Babakan not only strengthens ethnic identity but also serves as a means of intergenerational language transmission. However, challenges remain, particularly in attracting the interest of the younger generation and maintaining the continuity of cultural practices consistently. This study recommends increasing institutional support and utilizing digital media as complementary strategies in efforts to preserve the Betawi language through culture.