Examining the Power of Mother Tongues from a Digital Linguistic Perspective, Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University Holds the XVII National Mother Language Seminar

Denpasar, Friday (21/2/2025), Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at Udayana University (Unud), Prof. I Gede Rai Maya Temaja opened the XVII National Mother Language Seminar which took place at the Widya Sabha Mandala Auditorium, Faculty of Humanities, Denpasar. This national seminar carries the theme Examining the Power of Mother Tongues from a Digital Linguistic Perspective. This event, which was attended by academics, researchers and language practitioners, aimed to discuss the role and existence of mother tongues in the digital era.

In his speech, the Vice Rector expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the Bali Provincial Language Center in organizing this seminar. "The mother tongue is a cultural heritage that we must protect and develop. With support from the Language Center, it is hoped that this seminar can produce concrete ideas and strategies to strengthen the existence of the mother tongue, especially in facing challenges in the digital era," he said. 

Head of the Bali Province Language Center, Valentina Lovina Tanate, in her speech emphasized her commitment to supporting research and academic activities that focus on preserving mother tongues. "We are committed to continuing to encourage various initiatives that support the use and development of mother tongues, both through education, research and the use of digital technology," she said.

On the same occasion, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. I Nyoman Aryawibawa said that this activity is an annual activity carried out by the Master of Linguistics Study Program, Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University which aims to be a forum for academics, researchers and regional language preservation activists to share ideas, ideas and findings through paper presentations about the condition, development, challenges and innovations of mother tongues.

This seminar presented a number of expert speakers including Prof. Dr. Dra. Ni Made Suryati, M. Hum, Dr. I Gusti Ayu Agung Mas Triadnyani, S.S., M. Hum and Dr. Hugo Warami, S.Pd., M.Hum, who discussed various aspects of mother tongue, ranging from linguistics, education, to the role of technology in revitalizing regional languages. The panel discussions and workshops held also discussed various challenges and opportunities in maintaining the existence of mother tongues in the modern era.

With this seminar, it is hoped that more concrete efforts will be made to maintain the continuity of mother tongues, either through educational policies, the application of digital technology, or social movements in society.