The Cia-Cia people, a minority group in Indonesia, may not be widely known around the world, but their unique decision to preserve their language has attracted global attention. They chose to adopt Hangul as their script. This fascinating story has captured the interest of not only linguists but also many others. In this post, we'll explore how the Cia-Cia people and Hangul came together, and how this effort is progressing today.
Who are the Cia-Cia People?
The Cia-Cia are a minority group living in the Baubau region of Indonesia. They speak the Cia-Cia language, but the language had no written script, making it difficult to record and preserve.
For example, they have passed down their traditional festival—celebrating the first harvest and praying for future prosperity—through oral tradition for over 400 years. However, as younger generations increasingly turned to Indonesian, their native language and traditions faced the risk of disappearing.
In response, the local community began searching for ways to preserve and develop their language.
Why Hangul?
“The Hangul can represent any sound, even sounds of nature and animals.” - an ancient explanation of Hangul
In 2009, the Cia-Cia people decided to adopt Hangul as the writing system for their language. Previously, they had used the Roman alphabet, like in Indonesian, but it didn’t suit the phonetic needs of Cia-Cia, which has many glottal stops and fricatives.
For instance, the name of the city where the Cia-Cia people live is Baubau, written in Roman letters as "BAU BAU," which in Indonesian means "bad smell." Only with the introduction of Hangul were they able to write it correctly according to their language’s pronunciation.
To match the unique sounds of their language, the Cia-Cia even revived some old consonants in Hangul that are no longer in use in Korea.
The Process of Adopting Hangul
To facilitate this transition, textbooks were created in Hangul, and local schools began teaching both Cia-Cia and Hangul. The goal was to help Cia-Cia children learn to read and write in their native language.
Initially, there was great enthusiasm for adopting Hangul. It was praised as an effective tool for preserving Cia-Cia, and local schools even offered classes to teach not only Hangul but also the Korean language.
Challenges After Adoption
While the early stages of Hangul adoption were met with positive reactions, challenges began to arise over time. One major issue was that the Indonesian government officially recognizes only the Roman alphabet, making it difficult to get formal support for Hangul education. As a result, without government backing, the Hangul classes have been reduced. A few dedicated Korean and local teachers continue to teach it, but it hasn’t been easy.
The Significance of Hangul for the Cia-Cia People
According to UNESCO, one minority group disappears every two weeks, many of them without a written language. The story of the Cia-Cia adopting Hangul represents a bold attempt to preserve their language and cultural identity. This example serves as a model not only from a linguistic perspective but also as a symbol of cultural diversity and international cooperation.
Although there have been hurdles, the introduction of Hangul has contributed to the preservation of the Cia-Cia language, marking an important turning point in its documentation and education.
➤ The Cia-Cia people's use of Hangul is the first instance of the Korean script being adopted by another culture. Hangul’s scientific and unique structure has proven capable of representing a completely different language, showcasing its versatility. I look forward to seeing how Hangul will continue to play a role in preserving the Cia-Cia language in the future.
