THE MAINTENANCE OF BAHASA SIMALUNGUN IN KECAMATAN GUNUNG MALIGAS

The objective of this study is to identify levels of language endangerment of Bahasa Simalungun (BS) and to ascertain the domains which are needed by the speaker proportionally to be managed by the speakers to maintain BS. This study was based on qualitative approach that observed with applying mixing method, both qualitative descriptive and quantitative descriptive. Instrument used in this study was interviews and field notes. The data were collected by interviewing 22 Simalungunese comprising of second and first generation. The data were analyzed with reference to the theory six levels of language endangerment by UNESCO and Language Use domain by Fishman.The findings of the study were, (1) BS is in the stage of risk up to nearly extinct, this was caused by intermarriage, residence in non Simalungun family and parent attitudes. (2) BS needs to be proportionally managed in family domain in order to maintain BS, in friendship domain, educational domain, employment domain and religion domain, the factors affecting the maintainability of the BS were the BS speakers themselves, most of them are shy to learn and use BS in their daily life. (3) 20 options offered to maintain BS and18 options were agreed, some of them are using BS in wedding ceremony (family domain), using BS in IKEIS (friendship domain), using BS in Perwiritan (religion domain), learn BS as Mulok (educational domain), and using BS in selling and buying activity (employment domain), the options done to maintain BS.