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This article discusses the vitality of local languages in Kupang city, Indonesia that aimed at revealing the local language contestation in the public space of Kupang city. It is related to the existence, distribution, and factors influencing the existence of languages under the framework of the linguistic landscape approach. The use of this approach is based on the understanding that the use of regional languages in public places is not only to show the ideology and power of the language but is also concerned with maintaining the survival of the language. Data was obtained by observation method with photography technique covering the entire main road area in Kupang city. It was found that there are 39 photos as data, which consists of four languages, namely Dawan, Rote, Sabu, and Kupang Malay. The Dawan language is the dominant local language that is mostly found which is used as the name of churches and as graffiti on public transportation, such as bemo, buses, trucks, and pickup trucks. The results of the analysis show that there is a shift in language, especially in its use in public spaces. The development of Kupang became the capital city of the East Nusa Tenggara province and become the center of business, government, and education has increased the number of citizens. In contrast, the local language is seemed to be marginalized which is proved by the use of local language in public spaces. Socioeconomic factors contributed to the shift toward the language of the majority and led to the loss of the language of the minority group. Therefore, formal and informal support from all parties for these local languages is urgently needed. The state is responsible for formal support through legislation and protection, while informal is charged to individuals, community groups, and non-governmental organizations.
Benu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.