The common stereotypes surrounding linguistics are the vast volume of evolving theories and specialized scholarly discourse. However, Bincang Karier Linguistik UGM 2025 has demonstrated that linguistic contributions to society extend beyond academic subjects. Hosted by Siti Radibah Imatufariq, Linguistics Master’s Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, invited three alumni across different fields to share their journeys and experiences working in multilingual societies.

This event was held online on Saturday, October 11, 2025, featuring three resource persons: Dr. Ike Revita, S.S., M.Hum., a lecturer in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Andalas; Dr. Restu Sukesti, M.Hum., a researcher in Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN); and Prayudi Wijaya, M.A., a legal translator and a court interpreter. In this discussion, these speakers shared valuable reflections on the work challenges and linguistic opportunities in the academic landscape, AI configuration, translation, creative industries, and language policies.

Drawing on over 25 years as a lecturer, Dr. Ike Revita, S.S., M.Hum. acknowledged the discrepancy between theoretical frameworks and practical reality. Therefore, she emphasizes case-based learning in the class to help students stay relevant to the world’s current issues and prepare them for professional practices. The role of linguistics is also heavily encouraged in cultural preservation. Dr. Restu Sukesti, M.Hum., who works on language conservation at BRIN, suggests how many indigenous languages in Indonesia remain unexplored and at risk of extinction. She further invites Linguistics graduates to join and preserve the cultural legacy by documenting traditional languages across Indonesia through research. As a language practitioner in localization, Prayudi Wijaya, M.A. unraveled broader prospects for Linguistics students in legal, creative, marketing, and technical industries.

Given the significant growth of AI, the three alumni present a proactive and positive stance toward the technology. They suggest that instead of wariness, Linguistics students should reflect and adapt to AI, aligning with the field’s inherently dynamic nature. Prayudi Wijaya, M.A., even demonstrated that the translation field does not perceive AI as a threat. Instead, he stated that it is the role of linguists to provide contextualization that improves a text’s legibility. The event concluded with a remark for a prospective collaboration between scholars and practitioners to establish a thorough documentation on language variation and to provide an adaptive standardization in the translation industry.

The Linguistics Master’s Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an insightful workshop on writing and publishing articles in reputable journals on September 22, 2025. In this meeting, Dr. Arina Isti’anah, S.Pd., M.Hum., introduced the mechanisms of journal publication and manuscript preparation, as well as delivering best practices for publishing articles in accredited, highly-regarded journals, such as SINTA and Scopus. The aspiring lecturer has successfully published seven manuscripts in Scopus-indexed journals in recent years, a feat that inspires the students to enhance their writing, collaboration, and scholarly contribution.

In manuscript preparation, Dr. Arina Isti’anah, S.Pd., M.Hum. emphasizes the importance of novelty in theory and methodology, as well as presenting the move structure to improve the clarity of an article. She added that linguistics also grows and adapts to current issues, thus contributing to a world that constantly grapples with ever-evolving topics, such as climate and environmental issues. She further gives an instance that the development of corpus-assisted methodology and critical ecological approaches is a fresh nuance in linguistic studies, valuable for addressing the current Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The session also features a series of discussions focused on manuscripts submitted by student volunteers, with a critical review of their clarity, cohesion, and grammatical issues. Each work is examined using the checklist derived from the provided parameters. For example, the writer should consider establishing a territory, establishing a niche, and further occupying the niche in the introduction. It is also important to contextualize the research and provide a comprehensive methodology by thoroughly describing the study and building credibility.

When it comes to challenges in international publication, Dr. Arina Isti’anah, S.Pd., M.Hum., constantly invites student collaborations and the involvement of local data with a global perspective. It inspires linguistic students to try their luck at publishing in reputable journals and to perceive rejections as a free valuable feedback. It is valuable to navigate their academic journey better, especially in redefining their focus, novelty, and impact factors. This activity finally fosters an understanding of writing ethics, reference management, and publication procedures that form an academic culture that encourages students to contribute to the field of linguistics.

The Master’s Program in Linguistics, Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a public lecture titled “Outside Perspectives: Language Classification in Multilingual Oral Corpora” at the R. Soegondo Auditorium. The event welcomed both the academic community and the general public, featuring Dr. Zara Maxwell-Smith, Lecturer in Indonesian Studies at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), UNSW Canberra, as the keynote speaker.

The lecture was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Suhandano, M.A., Head of the Linguistics Master’s Program. In his remarks, he encouraged participants to collaborate in advancing linguistic research and to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn from the invited speaker.

In her presentation, Dr. Maxwell-Smith highlighted the major challenges of building a multilingual oral corpus. She explained that such corpora are difficult to annotate and describe, noting obstacles such as managing non-verbal signals, converting oral communication into cross-linguistic written systems, transcriber subjectivity, and the extensive time required for manual transcription.

She then presented findings from her research on Indonesian language teaching for non-native speakers (BIPA) in classroom settings. According to her, teacher speech is a professional practice that carries risks if not managed carefully, as training data may shape perceptions of teaching practices as well as teachers’ own understanding of their work. She emphasized the importance of employing sensitive approaches to prevent negative impacts on the professional reputation of educators.

Despite these challenges, Dr. Maxwell-Smith also emphasized the empirical benefits of the research. Her findings can inform teachers, curriculum developers, researchers, and policymakers. More broadly, the study contributes to the improvement of Indonesian language teaching, provides resources for bilingual NLP development, and positions education at the core of NLP technology applications.

The air was filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation as new 2025 Linguistic students gathered for a special welcoming event on August 14th, 2025. The program has led a student gathering to mark the start of their academic journey. This event was meticulously planned to introduce the newly enrolled students to the program, campus community, and the opportunities that lay ahead.

The event commenced with a series of formal addresses. Firstly, the chairperson of the committee, Aninda Ayu, delivered a welcoming speech, highlighting the importance of the gathering and the potential that each new student brings to the university. This was followed by a heartfelt address from the Kalingga’s chairperson, Rezki Ramadhani, who introduced the organization’s role in fostering a vibrant student community and providing support for all members.

Next, the head of the study program, Prof. Dr. Suhandano, M.A., offered a pivotal two-part session. First, a warm speech that welcomes the new students, and the second is a comprehensive academic information session. The Head of the Study Program also outlined the study plan mechanism, academic policies, and the faculty’s resources to accommodate students’ research. “This activity provides insight for batch 2025 students to understand the study flow and culture in FIB UGM, as well as getting to know the three concentrations, descriptive linguistics, sociolinguistics, and translation better.  It allows a thorough discussion between the head of the study program, student organization, and all students to prepare and adapt to the new academic term,” said Rizky Alida, the representative of the Linguistics Program.

The atmosphere then shifted to a more relaxed and joyful mood with a special entertainment segment from various linguistics students. The event was further concluded with two key activities focused on community building and leadership. It is the further introduction of Kalingga, an integral part of the student body. It provided an opportunity for new students to learn about the organization and how they could become involved. Finally, the election of the class chairman was held, and Nawalul Fawaid El Haqi was elected as the class chairman of the Linguistics batch of 2025.

By the end of the day, the new students left with not only a clearer understanding of their academic path but also a sense of belonging and community. “I was initially confused about what specialization to take, but now I have an overview of what each specialization will be like. It really helped me to navigate my future research,” said Annisa Eka Octaviani, one of the new Linguistics students. They are ready to embrace the opportunities that await them.

On 25 May 2025, students from the Linguistics Department, particularly those in Anthropological Linguistics classes, embarked on an enriching field trip. They venture beyond the classroom to study ethnozoology, ethnobotany, cultural practices, and toponymy in a real-life setting. This experience aimed to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, offering a firsthand look at how language shapes culture and how linguists document its structures.

Led by Prof. Dr. Suhandano M.A., the Anthropological Linguistics Class is divided into A and B groups. The A group went to Logending Beach, Kebumen, Central Java, to observe the production of salted fish, lexicons of sea fishing, local myths and knowledge of fishers, toponymy of Logending areas, and ecological values in the mangrove cultivation.

Kebumen presents a highly valuable dataset. “Some people in the community do farming and fishing as a source of income, which is deeply grounded in local wisdom. They also use a unique Banyumasan dialect here, making it more interesting and worth studying,” Alida, one of the students, stated. Here, they observed how language isn’t just a tool for communication but a repository of cultural knowledge, values, and social norms.

The second group, Anthropological Linguistics B, went to Baron Beach, Kemadang, Gunungkidul, Special Region of Yogyakarta. Seventeen students are divided into smaller groups to analyze Baron’s sacred Banyan tree, Larung Laut tradition, the variety of fish species, and the marine vegetation in Baron Beach. By examining the language within these cultural practices, students can unravel their implied significance.

This activity serves as a valuable experience and challenge for students to conduct proper field research. “Sometimes our research doesn’t go as we have planned. Therefore, we learned to deliver questions strategically to gain sufficient resources, while avoiding confusing the respondents,” said Ainun, the student who researched the cultural symbols behind the sacred banyan tree in Baron Beach. This event also facilitated students to engage with community members, not just as speakers of a language, but as custodians of a rich cultural heritage.

Watch the Anthropological Linguistics Class A trip to Gunungkidul on https://www.instagram.com/p/DLRlMZ5hqvd/

Watch the Anthropological Linguistics Class B trip to Kebumen on https://www.instagram.com/p/DK3YcD3hc7-/

The Senate Hall of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) was packed with an enthusiastic and boisterous energy as Prof. Dr. Hendrokumoro, M.Hum was inaugurated as the professor of Linguistics in the Faculty of Cultural Science, UGM. The event started at 09.00, followed by Prof Hendrokumoro’s moving speech as the main spotlight of the event.

In the speech “Eksistensi Bahasa Jawa Saat Ini: Peran, Tantangan, dan Peluangnya,” Prof Hendrokumoro highlights the current issues regarding the Javanese language, especially the number of speakers who are gradually decreasing to limited contexts, such as in family environments and traditional communication.

The decreasing trend alarmingly indicates the endangerment of the Javanese. In addition to that, several local languages, Tandia (Papua), Mawes (Papua), Palumata (Papua), Tugun (Papua), Saponi (Papua), Piru (Maluku), Kajeli/Kayeli (Maluku), Moksela (Maluku), Palumata (Maluku), Naka’ela (Maluku), Ternateno (Maluku Utara), Hukumina (Maluku), Hoti (Maluku), Serua (Maluku), Nila (Maluku), are bound to go extinct. Thus, Prof Hendrokumoro earnestly emphasized the importance of conserving the linguistic legacy of local languages, particularly his expertise in Javanese.

Given its rich variety, Javanese is heavily grounded in four fundamentals: the relationship between human beings and God, human beings and their kind, human beings and themselves, and human beings and the universe. This enables a more flexible approach to Javanese learning. Prof Hendrokumoro suggested integrating contemporary cultural elements, such as Javanese pop music and movies, into the curriculum. “Javanese popular songs such as ‘Rungkad,’ ‘Satru,’ and ‘Kisinan,’ as well as the movies ‘Yowis Ben,’ and ‘Lara Ati’ can be an intriguing tool to encourage the young generation learning Javanese,” Prof Hendrokumoro stated.

The inauguration of Prof Hendrokumoro creates the spirit of academia to embrace and maintain the local language as Indonesia’s identity. It raises awareness of the conservation essence in language education.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a time of spiritual reflection, fasting, prayer, and charity. During this precious time, Keluarga Linguistik Universitas Gadjah Mada (Kalingga), under the division of community social action, initiated Kalingga Berbagi, or charity events held concurrently on March 15, 2025, and March 19, 2025.

“After an extensive preparation of place research, concept, and funding, Kalingga managed to held its charity in the first round of 2025,” Asma Haniza said. As form of gratitude, the first charity was conducted by breaking the fast with children who had memorized the Quran and underprivileged orphans in Pondok Pesantren Tahfidzhul Qur’an Ar-Ridho, Bantul. All members of the community social action division and members of other divisions in Kalingga attended the event.

In addition to breaking the fast together, these children were also asked to make a ‘river of life,’ a drawing of river representing a journey, life’s flow, and future dreams. Each child was also asked to present their drawings, evoking interactive discussion and bonding between Kalingga and the children from Pondok Pesantren Tahfidzhul Qur’an Ar-Ridho, Bantul.

The second charity event was held four days after, on March 19, 2025. The charity included sharing iftar packages for those in needs and a small community in Sleman, particularly in Jalan Teknik Utara (in front of PAU UGM), Jalan Kaliurang KM 5,7 (near Kentungan traffic lights), Jalan Agro, Karang Gayam (around Gor Klebengan), and Jalan Gejayan. Before the charity, all Kalingga divisions contribute to prepare the logistics so that the event can be held smoothly. The distribution of iftar packages started in Ngabuburit time around 16.00-17.30 WIB.

Kalingga’s person in charge in this event, Sitti Aglitasia, suggested that this charity was Kalingga’s manifestation of care toward the underprivileged community. The head of community social action, Desy Anggraini, also added that this event enhances empathy among Kalingga members and bridging the gap between Kalingga and those in needs, evoking a sense of togetherness.

Amidst the joy of Eid Al Fitr and the Easter holiday, Linguistics students have done a stellar job not only in presenting their current linguistics research but also in the academic essay competition. In April 2025, 18 students successfully attended national and international seminars and gained third place in the scientific paper competition as well as a gold medal in Porsenigama’s Futsal Competition. They presented papers on translation, historical comparative linguistics, anthropological linguistics, pragmatics, and descriptive linguistics.

These students have demonstrated a profound understanding of the complexities of language, showcasing their ability to dissect, analyze, and articulate intricate linguistic concepts with remarkable clarity. Their papers delve into the urgency of language and literature preservation, as well as language and culture. In addition to enriching the versatility of linguistics, their observations on local languages, ranging from Makassar, Mandar, Javanese, Aceh, Sunda, and Mooi languages, provide an adequate documentation that is valuable to understand language evolution and variation in Indonesia’s archipelago.

Some students also successfully provide an elaborated explanation of the relationship between language and culture. The study of offering names in Saparan Ki Ageng Wonolelo by Annisa Nur Hidayati and Nisa Halisa Hakim, for instance, highlights how language has long been imprinted and employed to give important meaning in every region’s local wisdom. One of the students who presented a paper in Seminar Nasional Bahasa Ibu XVII, Rozana Argandari, also emphasizes how local languages, such as Mooi, possess a very limited speakers, making preservation and documentation very crucial.

The Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) senate hall has witnessed an important academic transition for Prof. Dr. Sajarwa, M.Hum, as the professor of Translation and Linguistics at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. This event not only marks a personal achievement for Prof. Sajarwa but also highlights UGM’s continuous endeavors to advance education and research in the linguistic field.

This inauguration was held on Tuesday, February 25^th, 2025. The honorable members of the Board of Trustees, Vice Chancellor, Council of Professors, and the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Cultural Science also attended and collectively participated in the inauguration celebration. The event also broadcast live, allowing a wider audience to participate virtually through UGM’s YouTube channel.

Prof. Sajarwa, in his speech, entitled “Transformasi Manajemen Muka dalam Penerjemahan Kesantunan Bahasa Prancis ke Bahasa Indonesia,” highlighted the complexity of translation management, notably in the field focusing on the nuance of politeness in French-Indonesian translation. His insights are projected to immensely contribute to translation studies, especially in advocating the crucial role of cultural context in effective communication.

Prof. Sajarwa’s research is congruent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 4 which ensures quality and inclusive education for all people, regardless of gender, income, or background. Additionally, the goal promotes equal, life-long opportunities to access education. His significant contribution to linguistics and translation does not only ignite the continuous advancement in the academic field. It actively encourages people to learn cross-cultural communication and understanding that become pivotal in an increasingly globalized world.

This inauguration also posits as an important platform to discuss the education role in bridging cultural gaps. As the globalized world is developing rapidly, the need for competent translators is increasingly significant to navigate the linguistic and cultural differences shared among many countries. Therefore, Prof. Sajarwa’s expertise is hoped to inspire the next generation to take an important step in the world of language, especially in French translation.

In addition to his academic achievement, Prof. Sajarwa is actively involved in various community services that mainly focus on enhancing the quality of language education in Indonesia. His commitment to education has transcended beyond a class activity. He believes that language can be a powerful tool to unite people and help them achieve mutual understanding, providing a harmonious society where everyone respects each other.

As UGM continues to carry out its mission to advance science and education, the inauguration of Prof. Sajarwa is a testament to the university’s role in shaping the future of linguistics and translation studies in Indonesia.

The Senate Hall on Tuesday, February 11^th, 2025 was filled with excitement and applause as Dr. Suhandano, M.A. was officially inaugurated as a Professor of Anthropological Linguistics at the Faculty of Cultural Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Distinguished faculty members, students, and representatives from various academic institutions also attended and celebrated the inauguration.

Prof. Suhandano, in his speech, emphasized the urgency of positive discourse analysis in ecolinguistics. He explained how language is not a mere portrayal of a speaker’s view of the environment. Language, in fact, has become a powerful tool in shaping speakers’ perceptions and actions toward the environment. The interrelation between language and environmental awareness is very essential in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in education.

Prof. Suhandano further continued that language may not directly be the key point to tackling environmental issues. However, it has a pivotal role in constructing public attitudes and behaviors. In the academic field, an individual is equipped with language as a tool to be engaged in a lively dialogue on environmental conservation and sustainability. He took the concept of “wit angker” or haunted trees in Indonesian society that function as cultural strategies in environmental conservation. This traditional phenomenon highlights how local wisdom and language significantly contribute to sustainable practices, allowing reciprocity between culture, language, and environmental management.

A positive discourse further is expected to arouse a sense of responsibility among people toward the environment. By advocating environmental-oriented narration and encouraging sustainable practices, educators can inspire students to actively participate in conservational efforts, following the SDGs’ focus on high-quality education and a sustainable community.

The celebration of Prof. Suhandono’s achievement is a constant reminder for educational institutions of their vital role in shaping a resilient and harmonious future. The power of language is exceptional to develop a deeper understanding of our surroundings and empower individuals to take an important step toward a life worth living.