Balai Bahasa Provinsi Jawa Tengah (BBPJT) recently launched a new initiative to promote literacy and preserve the local language through the release of bilingual children’s storybooks in Javanese and Indonesian, as well as an Encyclopedia of Language and Literature in Central Java. The launch event took place on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the Metro Park View Hotel in Kota Lama Semarang.
Dr. Syarifuddin, the Head of Balai Bahasa Provinsi Jawa Tengah, highlighted the importance of this initiative in enhancing literacy among children and the wider community, while also emphasizing the protection and revitalization of the local language. He stated that the launch aligns with the organization’s vision and mission to translate three priority programs: literacy, protection of the local language, and the internationalization of the Indonesian language.
The launch of these books marks the third year of the initiative, with a significant increase in the number of curated books. From 56 books in 2022 to 216 books in 2023, this year saw a total of 430 books curated, with 100 selected for publication. The participants also increased from 260 to 430, with contributions from various community members who were then curated into the final selection of 100 books authored by 49 writers.
Dr. Syarifuddin emphasized that the bilingual children’s storybooks serve as a valuable resource for literacy, presenting folk tales in both Javanese and Indonesian languages. He stressed the importance of literacy skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, which can ultimately strengthen scientific thinking in the future.
In building a culture of literacy, Balai Bahasa Provinsi Jawa Tengah aims to enhance intellectual capacity through strong literacy skills. The launch of these books is intended to provide informative and enriching content that contributes to literacy development among the public.
To ensure the success of this endeavor, Balai Bahasa Jawa Tengah collaborated with various stakeholders in the region, including universities, research institutions, and community groups. This collaboration aimed to enrich the vocabulary of young speakers of Javanese and highlight the crucial role of the mother tongue in shaping thought patterns and communication.
The target audience for the bilingual children’s storybooks is children aged 6-8 years, while the Encyclopedia of Language and Literature in Central Java is intended for the general public. Lia Herliana, a participating author, emphasized the importance of using children’s storybooks as a tool for character education without being preachy. She noted that many children’s books tend to come across as didactic, with adult characters offering unrealistic advice to children.
Herliana expressed hope that the 100 bilingual children’s storybooks would provide a joyful and non-preachy reading experience for children, offering them an alternative to traditional didactic storytelling. The launch of these books represents a significant step towards promoting literacy and preserving the local language in Central Java.