GAMKONORA DAN WAIOLI: BAHASA DALAM KONSTRUKSI IDENTITAS ETNIK

Abstract

This paper compares and contrasts Gamkonora language with Waioli language in west Halmahera, based on linguistic viewpoint. Lexicostatistical studies have shown that Gamkonora language and Waioli language are two different languages, though the dialect of Gamsungi, a variant of Gamkonora language, is fairly closed to Waioli language. This language variation has a signifcant role in constructing ethnic identity, particularly if it is connected to another linguistic form such as narrative. Whereas there is language variations in lexicostatistics, one will fnd various versions in narratives. Both language variation as well as narrative versions can become ideological persuasion that brings about group sentiments. The construction of ethnic identity comes about owing to the fact that linguistic conditions are influenced by political power in the form of social stratifcation. This was the case with Gamsungi people who left the original village of Gamkonora because of the pressure from the upper class. The same thing happened to people of Talaga who went away from that original village because they refused to pay tax. Islamic influence that was established during the Ternate Sultanate and becomes the religion of Gamkonora people, has to face the Christian influence embraced by people of Waioli. The paper concludes that the characteristic of ethnic identity is consolidated by different dialects and narrative versions as its linguistic underpinning.