The Psycholinguistics course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the relationship between language, the mind, and human biological processes. Through this course, students are introduced to the ways in which humans, as subjects, utilize their neurobiological capacities to process language as an object, while also examining the various obstacles that may arise in such processes.

The course materials encompass the study of humans as biological beings possessing the brain, neurological systems, auditory and visual senses, and speech organs that play essential roles in language processing. In addition, students explore the nature of human language and the various stages of linguistic processing, including language perception and comprehension, first language acquisition, second and foreign language learning, memory storage and retrieval processes, as well as spoken and written language production.

Beyond focusing solely on typical language processes, the Psycholinguistics course also addresses a range of language impairments and disorders caused by neurological and biological abnormalities. Through this approach, students are expected to develop a more comprehensive understanding of language from cognitive, biological, and social perspectives.

The course is delivered through a combination of face-to-face and blended learning modes in accordance with faculty guidelines. The instructional format consists of 60 percent in-person learning and 40 percent blended learning. Indonesian is used as the primary language of instruction throughout the course.

As part of strengthening students’ academic competencies and analytical skills, assessment is conducted through assignments and quizzes weighted at 20 percent, as well as article writing based on a case-based learning approach weighted at 80 percent. This approach encourages students to relate psycholinguistic theories to real linguistic phenomena occurring in society.

Another distinctive feature of the course is the student presentation sessions conducted in their respective regional languages to discuss specific topics related to psycholinguistics. This activity not only enriches students’ academic perspectives on Indonesia’s linguistic diversity, but also serves as a reflective space for understanding the relationship between language, culture, and human cognitive processes.

Through the Psycholinguistics course, students are expected to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of language as part of the human cognitive system, while simultaneously enhancing their sensitivity to linguistic diversity and various language-related issues encountered in everyday life.

The Master’s Program in Linguistics organized a field study for the course Anthropological Linguistics A on April 25, 2026, in the Pecinan and Kota Lama areas of Semarang, Central Java. This activity forms part of an academic initiative to integrate theoretical knowledge with field-based practice through direct observation of linguistic phenomena in public spaces.

The areas of Pecinan, Kota Lama, and Pasar Johar were selected as research sites due to their rich colonial history and complex cultural acculturation. These locations represent the intersection of Chinese, Arab, Javanese, and European cultures, which collectively shape Semarang’s distinctive identity. In terms of linguistic landscape, the Pecinan area demonstrates a dominance of Mandarin on shop signage, reflecting the strong ethnic identity and ideological presence of the Chinese community. In contrast, the Kota Lama area predominantly features Indonesian and English as languages of tourism, despite its deeply rooted colonial past.

Linguistic phenomena in public spaces are closely intertwined with economic interests, ideological expressions, and the negotiation of social identity. Beyond the visual landscape, spoken interactions in areas such as Pasar Johar also reveal compelling dynamics. Traders and buyers frequently engage in code-switching between Javanese (ngoko and krama), Indonesian, and localized Semarang vocabulary. This practice reflects social solidarity and interethnic familiarity in everyday communication.

Spatial functions also influence the linguistic landscape temporally. During the daytime, Pasar Johar is dominated by local interactions using Javanese and Indonesian. By contrast, in the evening, the area transforms into a culinary hub characterized by illuminated signage in Indonesian and English targeting younger visitors and tourists. This shift highlights the dynamic and contextual nature of linguistic landscapes.

From a methodological perspective, students encountered challenges in interpreting cross-script linguistic signs, particularly the use of Hanzi characters in the Pecinan area, which are not always accompanied by Latin transliteration. This condition provides opportunities for deeper analysis of signs as symbols of cultural identity rather than merely informational tools.

The field study aims to enhance critical thinking and research interest among the 2025 cohort of Master’s students in Linguistics, document local wisdom within the community, and apply anthropological linguistic theories in real-world contexts. Students were divided into four groups, each consisting of four to five members, to conduct field observation and data collection.

As an expected outcome, the activity targets the development of a draft book chapter comprising four scholarly articles based on students’ research. Each article addresses a distinct topic derived from findings in the Pecinan and Kota Lama areas.

Through this activity, students are expected to gain a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between language, culture, and public space, while also producing meaningful scholarly contributions to the field of anthropological linguistics.

The Master’s Program in Linguistics and the Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, cordially invite academics, researchers, and practitioners in the field of language studies to submit abstracts and participate in the International Conference on Linguistic Studies entitled “Form, Meaning, and Function of Language in the Era of Digital Transformation.”

This conference aims to provide an international forum for the dissemination and discussion of current research addressing the evolving roles of language in contemporary society, particularly in the context of rapid digital transformation.

Valedictory Address
Prof. Dr. I Dewa Putu Wijana

Keynote Speakers

• Zara Maxwell-Smith — University of New South Wales, Australia
• Jérôme Samuel — Institut National des Langues Orientales (INALCO), France
• Nguyen Tanh Tuan — Vietnam National University, Vietnam
• Xu Yun Yu — Tianjin Foreign Studies University, China
• Suhandano — Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

Date
Thursday–Friday, 10–11 September 2026

Venue
Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada

Registration and Abstract Submission
ugm.id/regisling

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 30 May 2026
• Full Paper Submission Deadline: 31 July 2026
• Participant Registration Deadline: 30 August 2026

Contact Information

WhatsApp: wa.me/+6281125113370
Email: bahasadansastra.fib@ugm.ac.id

Conference Overview

Linguistic inquiry has historically been characterized by analyses of form, meaning, and function within predominantly formalist frameworks. In recent decades, however, the field has increasingly embraced functionalist perspectives, wherein language is examined not only as a system to be described but also as a dynamic resource for communication and for representing social, political, and cultural realities.

Contemporary linguistic studies have expanded across disciplinary boundaries, engaging with fields such as communication studies, semiotics, anthropology, law, and medicine. This shift reflects a broader movement from an emphasis on langue toward parole—or “language in use”—highlighting language as it operates in real-world contexts.

Moreover, the rapid advancement of communication technologies in the era of digital transformation has further extended the functions of language, particularly within digital and social media environments. In response to these developments, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, convenes this international conference as a platform for scholarly exchange and critical engagement.

This conference is also organized in honor of the retirement of Prof. Dr. I Dewa Putu Wijana, S.U., M.A., whose distinguished body of work—spanning books and scholarly articles published in national and international journals—has significantly contributed to the advancement of linguistic studies. The conference theme reflects and celebrates his academic legacy.