HIMABSI Held Linguistics Seminar, Sparks Dialogue on Language, Identity, and Digital Challenges

Makassar, May 5, 2025 — As part of the 26th anniversary celebration of the English Language and Literature Department at UIN Alauddin Makassar, the Student Association (HMJ BSI) held a Linguistics Seminar on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the Auditorium of Campus II. The seminar was one of the highlight events under the anniversary theme “Harmonia Eternal,” symbolizing a timeless spirit of unity and collaboration among the academic community.

The event drew attendance from key faculty leaders, including representatives from the Faculty of Adab and Humanities, lecturers of the department, students, and invited guests. It provided a reflective academic platform through the theme: “Rethinking English: Assumed Opportunities and Local Challenges in the Digital Era.” The theme aimed to challenge the dominant narrative that English is the sole pathway to success in the digital age, especially in local contexts like Sulawesi, where access to English education remains uneven. The seminar invited participants to critically assess whether English serves as a bridge—or rather a barrier—within digitally evolving societies.

The department invited two keynote speakers to share insights on the intersection of language, technology, and identity.

The first speaker, Dr. Faidah Yusuf, S.S., M.Pd., a lecturer from the Faculty of Education at UNM and a former lecturer of the English Department at UIN Alauddin, explored how the digital era and the advent of Society 5.0 heighten the demand for English proficiency, while simultaneously widening digital and linguistic inequalities. She emphasized the growing marginalization of local languages in the face of global linguistic dominance. Dr. Yusuf proposed a three-pillar model of language mastery and advocated viewing English as a tool—not the only road to success. She also emphasized the integration of the 4C skills—Critical thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity—as essential in English education. Her closing message resonated with the audience: language should be a force to unite, empower, and connect, encouraging students to act as bridges between local rootedness and global participation.

The second speaker, Zulfikarni Bakri, S.Hum., M.A., an alumnus of the English Department and graduate of the Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada, delivered a talk titled “Decolonizing the Digital Landscape: Indigenous Language Revitalization in a New Colonizer System.” He shed light on the ongoing threat to indigenous languages posed by the dominance of English and other global languages in the digital space. Referencing UNESCO data, he noted that hundreds of local languages—such as Tae’, Konjo, and Laiyolo in South Sulawesi—are endangered or extinct. He introduced the concept of “The New Colonizers,” reflecting how digital infrastructures perpetuate linguistic hegemony. However, Zulfikarni also viewed digital technology as a potential ally in revitalizing indigenous languages. He outlined practical strategies such as leveraging social media, building translation tools, and using platforms like FirstVoices.com to archive and teach local languages. He concluded by calling on scholars of English and literature to realign their academic pursuits with efforts that preserve, empower, and integrate local linguistic heritage through research, translation, and critical discourse analysis.

The seminar received warm responses from attendees and was recognized as a valuable contribution to academic reflection and cultural awareness. It added intellectual depth to the Harmonia Eternal anniversary series, reinforcing the department's ongoing commitment to engage with both global discourses and local realities.