The Cia-Cia language is more than just a way of communication for the Cia-Cia people in Bau-Bau, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia—it has become an identity for them. This unusual language carries the stories, traditions, and history of a community that has called this region home for generations. But today, like many minority languages around the world, it’s at risk of disappearing. Modernization and the widespread use of Indonesia’s national language, Bahasa Indonesia, have left the Cia-Cia language struggling to survive. It is believed that due to the Bahasa Indonesia using Latin Alphabets to interpret their words and vowels, The Bau- Bau people feel that it does not accommodate the vowels and intonation of the Cia-Cia language.
In 2009, something extraordinary happened. The Cia-Cia people partnered with the Hunminjeongeum Society from South Korea to adopt the Korean Hangeul script as a writing system for their language. For the first time, their spoken words could be written down consistently, opening doors for literacy and preservation. Schools in Bau-Bau began using Hangeul in lessons, and textbooks were created to teach the younger generation. It was a groundbreaking moment, showing how two very different cultures could come together to solve a shared challenge. At a time when nearly 40% of the world's 7,000 languages are at risk of extinction, innovative efforts like this demonstrate the power of partnerships in preserving endangered languages.
But over time, the momentum has faded. The project faced challenges, from logistical hurdles to resistance from those who wanted to use the Latin script instead. Still, traces of this collaboration remain in Bau-Bau today, from Hangeul street signs to lingering memories of this remarkable partnership and how it showed collaboration on an international scale of how Hangeul was able to save the language of others.
This petition is a call to action. Let’s reignite the efforts to preserve the Cia-Cia language. Let’s bring together governments, organizations, and communities to support the Cia-Cia people in keeping their language alive. We can do this by creating digital tools to make learning the language easier, reintroducing partnerships to provide educational and financial support, and sharing their story with the world to inspire others.
Saving a language is about more than words—it’s about saving a part of humanity. By supporting this petition, you’re not just helping the Cia-Cia people; you’re helping to preserve the rich diversity of our global culture. Together, we can ensure that the Cia-Cia language continues to tell its story for generations to come. Let’s make this happen. We also urge the help of UNESCO, international linguistic organizations, and governments to help and support this initiative. Together, we can turn the story of the Cia-Cia language into a beacon of hope for other endangered languages around the world. Join us in preserving the voices of humanity. Let’s ensure the Cia-Cia language, and its remarkable journey with Hangeul, inspires the world for generations to come of how international culture and collaboration was able to save a language from extinction.
Sources:
Hunminjeongeum Society’s collaboration with the Cia-Cia community in Bau-Bau, Southeast Sulawesi. (https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/369998.html)
Background on the preservation efforts of endangered languages globally. (https://www.unesco.org/en/atlas/endangered-languages)

Photo Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/04/world/asia/indonesia-korea-hangul.html