Being Malay in a Non-Malay Land: Negotiating language and solidarity in Kampung Melayu Ampenan, Lombok, Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines how language use and social solidarity are negotiated in Kampung Melayu Ampenan, Lombok, Indonesia, with particular attention to identity formation and interethnic cohesion. It investigates the central premise that multilingual practices and address forms function as strategic tools for negotiating ethnic identity and fostering interethnic cohesion. A qualitative ethnographic method was used to gather data in Kampung Melayu Bangsal, Kampung Melayu Tengah, and Kampung Melayu Timur through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and sustained field observations. The qualitative data analysis software MAXQDA2022 was employed to transcribe and code the transcripts, highlighting the methodological novelty of combining ethnography with digital qualitative coding. The results indicate that language form and culturally embedded address terms in Malay dialects are important markers of group identity and solidarity. Address forms such as cici (older sister) from Chinese, nanang (male) and galuh (female) from Banjar, and əncik (sir) and cik (older sister) from Malay, as well as the Arabic personal pronouns ana (I) and ente (you), show how linguistic resources preserve heritage while fostering interethnic connection. At the same time, lexical items such as kite (we), kemane (where), and tak ade (nothing) continue to be used as markers of Malay linguistic heritage. These practices show how multilingual resources function as both communicative and symbolic means of constructing belonging and solidarity. The study suggests that linguistic markers play a crucial role in sustaining interethnic harmony within peripheral multilingual communities.