PEMEROLEHAN BAHASA PADA ANAK USIA 4 TAHUN DALAM KELUARGA MULTIKULTURAL DI PEKON BANYU URIP PRINGSEWU LAMPUNG

Abstract

This study aims to examine the language acquisition process of a 4-year-old child within a multicultural family context in Pekon Banyu Urip, Pringsewu, Lampung. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research focused on a child named Rafka Aditama, who was raised in a family with diverse ethnic backgrounds (Lampung and Javanese). Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, and analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive model. The findings revealed that the child acquired three languages: Indonesian, Javanese, and Lampung, with Indonesian being the dominant language used (65%). The child exhibited code-mixing and code- switching behaviors in daily interactions and demonstrated age-appropriate fluency in Indonesian. Social environment, frequency of language use, and parental involvement played a significant role in the language acquisition process. Limited exposure to local languages contributed to the child’s restricted mastery of their structures. This study emphasizes the importance of parental and environmental support in sustaining multilingual acquisition and reinforcing the role of local languages in multicultural settings.